As we develop, our behavior is governed by a number of new motives strongly influenced by learning: aggression and the social motives - achievement, power, and affiliation - which center on our relationships with others.
Any behavior that is intended to inflict physical or psychological harm on others is an act of aggression. Some psychologists consider aggression part of an unlearned instinct that is triggered by pain and frustration; others see it as an innate drive that must be channeled into constructive avenues. Many contemporary psychologists believe aggression is a learned response, modeled after the aggressive behavior of others.
Cultural differences in aggressiveness are reflected in statistics on violent crimes. Individualist cultures, which value personal independence, tend to be high in crime, whereas collectivist cultures, emphasizing interdependence and group cohesion, tend to be lower. Research has also linked the dimension of individualism/collectivism to how various cultures interpret aggressive behavior.
Across cultures and at every age, males are more likely than females to behave aggressively both in verbal and physical ways. Both biological and social factors appear to contribute to these gender differences.
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