Altruism and Aggression: Social and Biological Origins (Cambridge Studies in Social and Emotional Development) [Paperback]

Carolyn Zahn-Waxler (Editor), E. Mark Cummings (Editor), Ronald J. Iannotti (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Cambridge Studies in Social and Emotional Development | Publication Date: July 26, 1991

In this timely collection, biological and behavioral scientists address questions emerging from new research about the origins and interconnections of altruism and aggression within and across species. They explore the genetic underpinnings of affiliative and aggressive orientations as well as the biological correlates of these behaviors. They consider environmental variables--family patterns, childrearing practices--that influence prosocial and antisocial behaviors. And they examine internal processes such as empathy, socio-inferential abilities, and cognitive attributions, that regulate "kindness" and "selfishness." The first section focuses on biological, sociobiological, and ethological approaches. It explores the utility of animal models for understanding both human and infrahuman social behavior. The second section focuses on the development, socialization, and mediation of altruism and aggression in children. Several concerns underly both sections. These include the role of attachment processes, separation distress, reciprocal interchanges, and social play in determining the quantity and quality of aggressive and affiliative interactions; the function of emotions (e.g. empathy, guilt, and anger) as instigators of altruism and aggression; and the nature of sex differences. Several chapters present data on emotions that mediate altruism and aggression and also on patterns of association between prosocial and antisocial behaviors. The authors take an ethological perspective, placing special importance on the need to explore altruism and aggression in the real lives and natural habitats of humans and other animals.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...likely to be of considerable interest both to researchers working in relevant areas and to scientists and students from other disciplines..." Science

"Among the many merits in this book is the diversity of the psychological approaches represented, and these are admirably brought together..." Contemporary Psychology

"...the approaches and research strategies described in this book are the waves of the future..." New England Journal of Medicine

Book Description

Questions emerging from new research about the origins and interconnections of altruism and aggression within and across species are answered through an exploration of the lives and habitats of humans and other animals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (July 26, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521423678
• ISBN-13: 978-0521423670
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #377,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Family Background Plays A Big Part in Both, so Beware., October 17, 2006

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Betty Burks "Betty Burks" (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Altruism and Aggression: Social and Biological Origins (Cambridge Studies in Social and Emotional Development) (Paperback)

Some people will pretend to altruism toward their human man, but always with the condition that their names are on the "gift." We have a few in this town who bequeath large money contributions only if they receive publicity and get their pictures in the local newspaper. One over-the-hill educator who thinks she is the only educated person in an apartment complex puts some of her "reference" (only in her opinion) books in the library with her name in large block letters. She has no humility or respect for the rights and opinions of others.

This book traces the interconnection of both within and across our species. Family are the biggest hindrance for certain people, like those highly sensitive. The brutes of society set out to hurt these special individuals with anger and guilt as their instigators. These aversive episodes are the opposite of kindness and empathy by others, and cognitive attributes suggest new paths for making sensitivity a blessing, and not a handicap. You learn about prosocial and antisocial behaviors such as selfishness ans separation distress among the young. Social play such as dreams have a part in overcoming other's aggression.

"I rose before dawn. The dream awakened me and I could not fall into sleep again. In the first passing freshness of the day, I scattered grain for the geese... The sun came up saffron, rose, and scarlet from the eastern hills, promising heat." The brighter side of human nature is Altruism and Empathy. There is a vast difference between aggressive and assertive actions to discipline confrontations. Many years ago, I sat in on a few sessions of a class on teaching Southern women to become aggressive by a Chicago male. When I wouldn't participate, he asked why. I told him I can be assertive when necessary, but never aggressive. Lately, I've changed my mind about that. Denying your emotions any longer will only delay the inevitable. After three years of being harassed and stalked by another being (not exactly human), I have decided it is time to take the aggressive, combative reaction. There is only so much a victim of such abuse can take. The function of emotions is to protect one's safety, physical and mental. Sometimes, it behooves the non-violent to take up for themselves when she has no one else to do it for her.

Aggression is not always bad. Sometimes it is needed for protection. It all depends on the individuals involved and the harshness and depth of a dangerous situation. I've been able to bluff my way out of a hostage situation which would have ended in death had I shown fear. But it left a scar, and now I warn the officials that a part of town is dangerous for bus riders and even ordinary women in particular. There is such a thing as taking this altruism thing a bit too far and endanger innocent people.