The Guide

This module on the “SAFEMEDIC” platform includes:

• The coursebook "Violence and aggression - an anthropological perspective"

• Video lectures by dr Goran Gumze, Alma Mater Europea, Maribor, Slovenia. Lectures are in English and translated into languages of the consortium in the form of subtitles.

• Presentation "Violence and aggression - an anthropological perspective".

Course summary

Discussion of the anthropological and cultural factors leading to aggression. Definitions of aggression and violence. Aggression in different cultures, myths and beliefs.

 Objectives of the course

Upon completion of the course “Violence and aggression – anthropological perspective”, the course participant will be able to:

• identify and contrast the concepts of violence and aggression, and identify their sources;

• understand the role of social learning on the rise of aggression;

• apply the knowledge gained in the practice of understanding the sources of aggression;

• assess situations that can lead to aggression;

• recognize aggression.

 

Upon completion of the course, the participant will be able to:

• anticipate and recognize signs of violence;

• understand cultural and social factors leading to aggression;

• understand the difference between aggression and violence in different cultural contexts;

• understand the cultural, social and economic factors leading to aggression;

• communicate with the patient, taking into account his cultural and social   background;

• use his knowledge of the nature of aggressive behaviour to prevent it.

 

Contents of the course

1. Anthropological perspective

1.1. Differences between aggression and violence

1.2. Sources of aggression and violence

1.3. Aggression as a consequence of the learning process

1.4. Different views on violence and aggression

1.5. Violence in beliefs

1.6. Violence in the city: the difference between aggression and violence

2. Being brutal or aggressive

2.1. General and capoeiristic perceptions of aggression and violence in El Salvador

3. Hidden and overt forms of aggression and violence

4. Violence and gender

5. Violence and initiation into the male world

6. Definition of aggression and violence

 

Class based on lecture no 1 online

"Violence and aggression - an anthropological perspective"

An attempt at a definition

Quote from the lecture:

“There are many definitions based on philosophical, sociological, psychological and anthropological theories. Psychiatric, religious and even amateur, non-professional theories should also be mentioned; (…) The literature on human aggression is too extensive to allow for a coherent and functional overview of the issue ”.

Group discussion and summary

(Examples: history: is in a large part a chronicle of aggressive acts and their consequences; political geography: is the result of acts of aggression; literature: starts with the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm; religious studies: first act of aggression – Kain murdering his brother – happened at the very beginning of human history as presented by Christianity, etc.)

The aim of this discussion is to make the course participants aware of the fact that aggression is ubiquitous and has a long history.

________________________________________

Quote from the lecture:

"Hacker argues that aggression is a repetitive mode of action and response in the human body that is motivated when aroused."

Quote: "Aggression is a basic form of behaviour that can be triggered, enhanced or diminished by pain, fear, anger, provocation, hierarchy threat, overpopulation, and other internal and external stimuli that may be profoundly influenced by learning." (Hacker 1971, p. 158).

Friedrich Hacker, a psychiatrist specializing in the psychology of terrorism. He has been a consultant in several well-known cases of criminal violence: after the terrorist attack at the Munich Olympics; the murder of Sharon Tate and other. He is the author of several well-known books, including "The Brutalization of the Modern World".

 

Discussion

 

Roots of aggression and violence

Quote from the lecture:

“In sociology, in the last decades of the 20th century, theories of social influence appeared. ... For example, domestic violence, according to these theories, is simply a reaction to given social conditions - abused children and aggressive parents are only victims of living conditions. "

Work in pairs / groups and discussion

Aggression as a consequence of the learning process

The social learning theory of aggressive behaviour assumes that aggression is the result of learning through one's own direct experience or by imitation.

Quote from the lecture:

“Every human act, also an aggressive one, has its consequences. These consequences - rewarding or punishing outcomes of aggression - constitute the basis for the social learning process. Aggression which is rewarded, produces an increased expectancy that such behaviour will be useful in the future under similar conditions.”

Work in pairs / groups and summary

 

Different approaches to violence and aggression

The following examples of approaches to aggression can be used to illustrate the diversity of attitudes in different cultures.

This part will take approximately 15 minutes and requires the ability to show YouTube content.

The author of the lecture examined the capoeira communities in Brazil and their attitudes to violence. Capoeira is a martial art combining African and Brazilian traditions, created in the 18th and 19th centuries by African slaves in Brazil. It is a symbol of resistance to oppression. In the beginning it was a way of practicing fighting skills under the guise of dance and acrobatics, and now it is considered part of the cultural heritage of Brazil. It combines martial arts, dance, music, gymnastics, and acrobatics into a unique form of art. Although this art does not promote combat, it is well suited for learning self-defence. It's not just about body movements, but some street wisdom, the ability to resolve disputes through cleverness, not brutal force and violence. It also teaches the ability to understand the environment and read people's intentions. In capoeira, aggression is considered harmful to a capoeirista, but s/he must be ready to react aggressively when attacked.

 

Video - Zum Zum Zum Capoeira Mata Um (with lyrics translation)

 

The flamenco piece "Orobroy" by Spanish composer David Pena Dorantes was adopted by the Gypsy community of Andalusia as their informal anthem. The video at this link presents Andalusia, and the song “Orobroy” performed by a choir of Gypsy children from Seville. The following are the lyrics of the song:

Reflection

When I hear the old voice of my blood that sings and suffers

From remembering the past centuries of horror

I feel God perfume my brown soul

And in this world, I am sowing roses instead of pain.

 

Class based on lecture no 2 online

"Violence and aggression - an anthropological perspective"

Being brutal or aggressive

Quote from the lecture:

"I assume that aggression inevitably occurs in all acts of violence, but aggressive tensions do not necessarily express themselves as violence."

Working in pairs

 

Quote from the lecture:

“Evolutionary psychologists do not use the term ‘violence’, but rather write about various forms of aggressive behaviour. They differentiate between aggressive behaviour that is planned, deliberate and not driven by emotions and the one that is emotionally charged. Campbell describes two types of aggression: proactive or predatory aggression and reactive, defensive, hostile or affective aggression. Such acts are planned, not responsive to threat, and are characterized by an absence of anger and arousal. The second type is the response to antecedent conditions such as goal blocking or provocations and can also be the response to environmental irritants and life situations. Responses are primarily interpersonal and hostile in nature, and anger is emphasized as an emotional precursor or concomitant.”

 

Work in pairs / groups and summary

 

Violence and gender

Quote from the lecture:

“Physical aggression is more likely to be associated with men than with women. … Women more than men find violent expressions of aggression inappropriate. Women more often control aggressive tendencies because they feel more guilt and anxiety related to violence (…). Campbell argues that gender differences in violence are best understood in terms of differences in parental investment. For example, the death of a mother has more serious consequences for the survival of her offspring than that of the father. Perhaps that is why women prefer to avoid direct physical violence. (…) Men and women react differently to the same stressors. (...) When women are more likely to be annoyed by brazen, unpleasant behaviour and verbal assault, men explode when they are physically attacked by another man. "

Discussion

 

Module 1-1 summary

Aggression and violence are ubiquitous and connected with human life from the beginning

 "We do not know of a society or social formation in which interpersonal aggression, physical threat, attack, murder or armed conflict would be completely absent or effectively prohibited"

(J. Abbink, Preface: Violation and Violence as Cultural Phenomena, [in:] Meanings of Violence. A Crosscultural Perspective, Oxford 2000)

Discussion: Friedrich Hacker's Theses on Violence

Possible points for consideration: easy access to firearms was to ensure the safety of citizens; brutal break-up of illegal but peaceful demonstrations; preventive arrests of opposition activists, military police used against citizens, further escalation in stop and search arrests.