David P. Barash and Judith Eve Lipton
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780195395143
- eISBN:
- 9780190255763
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780195395143.003.0002
- Subject:
- Psychology, Social Psychology
This chapter describes a large number of animal examples to show that redirected aggression is commonplace, with both proximal physiological causes and ultimate adaptive value. However, there is no ...
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This chapter describes a large number of animal examples to show that redirected aggression is commonplace, with both proximal physiological causes and ultimate adaptive value. However, there is no proof; the science simply is not there yet. It is hoped that readers will take up the challenge and refine these examples with both kinds of evidence.Less
This chapter describes a large number of animal examples to show that redirected aggression is commonplace, with both proximal physiological causes and ultimate adaptive value. However, there is no proof; the science simply is not there yet. It is hoped that readers will take up the challenge and refine these examples with both kinds of evidence.
David P. Barash and Judith Eve Lipton
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780195395143
- eISBN:
- 9780190255763
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780195395143.003.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Social Psychology
This chapter begins with a brief discussion of the notion of pain and how victims have a powerful tendency to respond by passing it along to someone else. In short: payback. The chapter then analyzes ...
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This chapter begins with a brief discussion of the notion of pain and how victims have a powerful tendency to respond by passing it along to someone else. In short: payback. The chapter then analyzes the pathways of social relationships that deal with the infectious transmission of pain—Retaliation, Revenge, and Redirected Aggression—citing examples such as the tale of Sweeney Todd, the tragedy of Bosnia, and the US invasion of Iraq.Less
This chapter begins with a brief discussion of the notion of pain and how victims have a powerful tendency to respond by passing it along to someone else. In short: payback. The chapter then analyzes the pathways of social relationships that deal with the infectious transmission of pain—Retaliation, Revenge, and Redirected Aggression—citing examples such as the tale of Sweeney Todd, the tragedy of Bosnia, and the US invasion of Iraq.
David P. Barash and Judith Eve Lipton
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780195395143
- eISBN:
- 9780190255763
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780195395143.001.0001
- Subject:
- Psychology, Social Psychology
From the child taunted by her playmates to the office worker who feels stifled in his daily routine, people frequently take out their pain and anger on others, even those who had nothing to do with ...
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From the child taunted by her playmates to the office worker who feels stifled in his daily routine, people frequently take out their pain and anger on others, even those who had nothing to do with the original stress. Payback can be directed anywhere, sometimes at inanimate things, animals, or other people. This book looks at this phenomenon, showing how it has evolved, why it occurs, and what we can do about it. Retaliation and revenge are well known to most people. What is new in this book is an extended discussion of redirected aggression, which occurs not only in people but other species as well. The book reveals that it is not just a matter of yelling at your spouse “because” your boss yells at you. Indeed, the phenomenon of redirected aggression haunts our criminal courts, streets, battlefields, homes, and hearts. It lurks behind some of the nastiest and seemingly inexplicable things that otherwise decent people do. And it exists across boundaries of every kind—culture, time, geography, and even species. It is not just a human phenomenon. Passing pain to others can be seen in virtually all vertebrates. There is robust neurobiological hardware and software promoting redirected aggression, as well as evolutionary underpinnings. Payback may be natural, the book concludes, but we are capable of rising above it, without sacrificing self-esteem and social status. The book shows how the various human responses to pain and suffering can be managed—mindfully, carefully, and humanely.Less
From the child taunted by her playmates to the office worker who feels stifled in his daily routine, people frequently take out their pain and anger on others, even those who had nothing to do with the original stress. Payback can be directed anywhere, sometimes at inanimate things, animals, or other people. This book looks at this phenomenon, showing how it has evolved, why it occurs, and what we can do about it. Retaliation and revenge are well known to most people. What is new in this book is an extended discussion of redirected aggression, which occurs not only in people but other species as well. The book reveals that it is not just a matter of yelling at your spouse “because” your boss yells at you. Indeed, the phenomenon of redirected aggression haunts our criminal courts, streets, battlefields, homes, and hearts. It lurks behind some of the nastiest and seemingly inexplicable things that otherwise decent people do. And it exists across boundaries of every kind—culture, time, geography, and even species. It is not just a human phenomenon. Passing pain to others can be seen in virtually all vertebrates. There is robust neurobiological hardware and software promoting redirected aggression, as well as evolutionary underpinnings. Payback may be natural, the book concludes, but we are capable of rising above it, without sacrificing self-esteem and social status. The book shows how the various human responses to pain and suffering can be managed—mindfully, carefully, and humanely.
David P. Barash and Judith Eve Lipton
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- March 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780195395143
- eISBN:
- 9780190255763
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780195395143.003.0006
- Subject:
- Psychology, Social Psychology
This chapter attempts to acknowledge the importance of pain-passing as part of the biological, psychological, and social structure that undergirds justice, but without legitimizing retaliation, ...
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This chapter attempts to acknowledge the importance of pain-passing as part of the biological, psychological, and social structure that undergirds justice, but without legitimizing retaliation, revenge, and redirected aggression, as such. The problem is in balancing an understanding of propensities that are less than admirable with the reality that they exist, are stubborn, but are nonetheless subject to modification.Less
This chapter attempts to acknowledge the importance of pain-passing as part of the biological, psychological, and social structure that undergirds justice, but without legitimizing retaliation, revenge, and redirected aggression, as such. The problem is in balancing an understanding of propensities that are less than admirable with the reality that they exist, are stubborn, but are nonetheless subject to modification.
Bruce N. Waller
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780262028165
- eISBN:
- 9780262327404
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262028165.003.0003
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Moral Philosophy
Strike-back emotions can be found in many species, including humans. Strike-back emotions are powerful, and may be essential to our moral lives; however, they are easily exploited and inflamed, and ...
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Strike-back emotions can be found in many species, including humans. Strike-back emotions are powerful, and may be essential to our moral lives; however, they are easily exploited and inflamed, and they are not legitimate guides to moral behavior. While strike-back emotions can be manipulated and intensified, they can also be ameliorated by careful deliberation; however, strong emotional reactions can block deliberative examination of causes.Less
Strike-back emotions can be found in many species, including humans. Strike-back emotions are powerful, and may be essential to our moral lives; however, they are easily exploited and inflamed, and they are not legitimate guides to moral behavior. While strike-back emotions can be manipulated and intensified, they can also be ameliorated by careful deliberation; however, strong emotional reactions can block deliberative examination of causes.
