Aggression
New Research Finds No Link Between Violent Video Games and Aggression
The debate over the potentially troubling effects of these massively popular games continues.
Gaming-Inspired Aggression Spreads Within Social Groups
You don't have to personally play violent video games to experience their negative effects.
A Gun in the Vehicle Triggers Aggressive Driving
The fast and the furious and their firearms.
Warm Memories Can Dampen Hatred of Outsiders
New research finds aggressive attitudes can be shifted by recalling moments of intimate connection.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury in Prisons
Offenders with brain injuries make up a huge percentage of prison populations; they also enter the criminal justice system earlier, and stay in it longer.
Aggressive Boys Become Strong Young Men
Antisocial attitudes and physical strength may have the same underlying cause, new research suggests.
Why We Rage on the Roads—and How to Stop
A perfect combination of fear and overconfidence produces dangerous escalations of tiny incidents. The best course of action is to allow the guy flipping you the bird to drive right past.
The Children of the Prison Boom
Some argue that taking parents who have committed a crime out of the family might be good for children, but the data is in. It’s not.
When Playing Video Games, Go for the Flow
Research suggests highly skilled players who achieve a "flow state" are buffered against the games' negative psychological impact.
Mean Boys: Social Bullying Isn't Just for Girls
A new study shows that boys can shun and ostracize with the best of them. We’ll have to drop our “mean girls” bias to better understand how they do it.
Making Police Departments More Diverse Isn’t Enough
Local police departments should reflect the communities they serve, but fixing that alone won’t curb unnecessary violence.
The American Man: Fighting Solves Everything
Wrestling with masculinity in a boxing gym.
Alcohol Increases Aggression Before You've Taken a Sip
New research confirms that exposure to the idea of alcohol heightens aggressive behavior.
The 30 Top Thinkers Under 30: Kelly Miller, 24, Psychology
For the month of April we're profiling the individuals who made our inaugural list of the 30 top thinkers under 30, the young men and women we predict will have a serious impact on the social, political, and economic issues we cover every day here at Pacific Standard.
The Tragedy of America's Dog: The Vilification of the Pit Bull
A brief history of the vilification of the pit bull.
Violent Video Games and Bad Behavior: The Evidence Mounts
New research from Italy and a meta-study from Austria both connect playing violent video games with antisocial behavior.
The Psychology and Biology of Road Rage
And what we might be able to do to calm it down.
Being Cruel Can Help You, But Let's Find a Way to Fight It Anyway
The lust to kill is somewhat normal, and cruelty can have some benefits. But the researchers who are exploring those sad discoveries are also working to bust up the vicious circle that offers these insights.
Study: Violent Video Games May Exacerbate Ethnic Bias
An Austrian researcher finds a link between playing violent video games and increased ethnocentrism, at least among young men.
The Shocking Level of Dating Violence Among Teens and Adolescents
Kids who bully other kids are much more likely to abuse their partners as teens.
Breaking the Link Between Video Games and Aggression
New research suggests playing violent video games on motion-capture technology (think Wii) does not increase one’s propensity to engage in aggressive behavior.
Television Violence Enticing, But Not Satisfying
New research finds people enjoy less-gory versions of television shows, even when they are enticed to watch by a graphically violent description.
Reading Fiction Impacts Aggressive Behavior
Researchers report that reading literature depicting aggression can impact how those readers respond to provocation.
Don’t Mess With Breastfeeding Women
Newly published research suggests lactation increases aggression.