Customer Reviews

The Biology of Violence: How Understanding the Brain, Behavior and Environment Can Break the Vicious Circle of Aggression

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I have read widely in neuropsychology and neurobiology over the last five years by necessity. This book is written by an expert with a thorough grasp of her material and the English language. This is a book with the depth needed by professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, law enforcement, probation, attorneys, judges, etc.) and the accessibility needed by laymen. Niehoff's analogies simplify complex interrelationships. Her analysis is compassionate, realistic, and sound. Her discussion of working memory and aggressive behavior is indispensible for parents of TBI children. Her discussion of PTSD and of the interplay between nature and nurture are lucid and compelling. She has an excellent introduction to brain functioning that readers will readily appreciate. When I consider the strength of the book I felt that the conclusion was somewhat weak; however, this should not deter potential readers. In another books, I would have considered the conclusion strong. I think highly enough of this book to have two copies. One for my bookshelf and the other to loan to those concerned with aggression and violence.

"The Biology of violence" by Debra Niehoff is the best book on the subject I have read. I've been through over 300 books in the last three months looking for a neuro-chemical link between aggression and violence, specifically "impulsive" aggression, that from which I have, at times, suffered its unpleasant effects.

Niehoff clearly shows her education and scientific background through her writing. This book is throughougly and adeptly referenced down to the smallest detail. Every sentence informs, every page educates. I learned, for example, about the role of serotonin, the master hormone, and norepinephrine, and how they keep each other in check. One controls aggression, the other fear, both having specific receptors which, it is to be discovered, sometimes receive signals from other neurotransmitters and hormones (and also caffeine!). The role of environmental factors is given a fair and impartial comparison in conjunction with the actions of the body's hormones, increasing Niehoff's conclusion and credibility.

There is far too much information to be absorbed briefly; a detailed study is in order, well worth its rewards. I have found this work to be monumental, and while not solving the total violence problem, will at least lead the reader to make better choices at the root: the diet (foods are converted to make certain hormones and neurotransmitters). Also of interest is the treatment of insulin and its role in the body. A complete, highly informative work, unparalleled in depth and understandability by the educated layperson. Top recommendation!

If you wonder what happened in Littleton, Colorado -- or why ADHD is so widespread, how cocaine influences the brain, and who is most likely to commit a crime under the influence of alcohol, Niehoff's book is MUST reading. This is a clear, balanced, and readily accessible survey of new work in neuroscience and behavior genetics. While my own research has revealed an additional factor (lead, manganese, or cadmium toxicity, lowering the levels of the key neurotransmitters Niehof analyzes), the basic science is all here. Given the total failure of the social workers, psychologists, teachers, and police to figure out what happens when kids go beserk, it is astonishing that this wonderful book has not had more public attention. Prof. Roger D. Masters (Dartmouth College)

Even though this book was written ten years ago, and since then there have been some tremendous steps forward in our ability to see and map brain function this work more than stands the test of time, and this book still remains an invaluable piece of scholarship for the novice, professional or anyone who is interested in how our brains function and the role biology plays in shaping who we are. This author has written a great book that is very accessible and scholarly. This is just a superb book that tackles a very deep and difficult topic with an engaging writing style and depth of knowledge that brings the reader along effortlessly. Unfortunately there are very few scientists with her expertise that also have the ability to convey that expertise in such a way that is so accessible also.

There have been huge strides in this field since this book was written, but this book is still very much relevant. I have been focusing more on ethology and sociology and was looking for a book that dealt with the biology of human behavior to give myself a more balanced understanding. At first I put off reading this book since it was older, but after being disappointed by some other books and hearing some more good things about this book I decided to give it a try, and I could not have been more pleased that I did.

The author explains in great detail how the brain functions, and how different chemicals affect different aspects of brain function. This is an area I usually have difficulty with, but the author did a wonderful job linking what the chemicals do biologically to the brain with how that affects behavior. Coming in to this work I had a very superficial understanding of how the brain works, but this book greatly enhanced my understanding in a way that was accessible. As she discusses the affects that too little or too much of certain chemicals has on brain function she then takes the reader out of the classroom or laboratory and takes them out into the world and gives us examples of real experiences to further illustrate the affects which brings this work out of the world of the abstract and makes the information real and tangible for reader. It was this connection that made this work so powerful. Whether she is describing the affects of serotonin levels on lab mice, or talking about the affects of PTSD on soldiers or battered women she makes sure there is a very real connection between the academic and scholarly with how that plays out in our ordinary lives.

I was also amazed at how the author was able to limit her work to the biological, and yet at the same time not minimize the affect of experience (nurture). This has been the downfall of many other authors and books because they tend to want to emphasize either nature or nurture while dismissing the other. But not Dr. Niehoff who does a great job at continually emphasizing that while biology plays an important role in who we are we are not slaves to our biology. It is instead a careful balancing act between nature and nurture. It is more like a seesaw with each playing a role in each function to varying degrees. She was able to instill this point in this book without having to broaden her focus which is commendable and quite the achievement at the same time.

This is a great book that is obviously authoritative and scholarly but accessible enough for the novice such as myself. The author has a terrific writing style that makes this book as entertaining as it is enlightening. I truly hope this book doesn't get relegated to the back shelves of science simply because it has gotten a little older because it has a wealth of information that is just as important and relevant today as it was when it was first published. Give this book a read; you will not be disappointed.

This was an excellent book. Well written and easy to read. A book grounded in research rather than speculation. I recommend this book to anyone who who wants a better understanding of the complexities of violent behavior or who must work with violent people. I have added this book to the recommended reading list on my web site and will strongly recommend it to my students.

David Center, Ph.D.

Although this book is excellent and explains things well, it is probably not a good place to start before acquiring good foundation of neurobiology. With that said, most highly motivated people can read and understand the content of this book if they apply significant thought to what they are reading and use appropiate reference materials. Just be forwarned that this is not a book for bedside nor casual reading.

This book gives us a very good overview of the neurological foundations of violence and aggressive behavior. Through the author's use of diagrams, personal stories and detailed explainations we are given some very interesting information which will go a long way in explaining and characterizing aggression/violence.

I am a little curious as to why the author did not use the concept of long term potentiation (LTP) at all. I know that LTP is a relatively new concept in neuroscience and is not the easiest thing to understand, but it would have made many of her explainations much simpler. Had I not understood how LTP takes place, I would have been left scratching my head in quite a few parts of this book. The notion that excessive stress will cause LTP in the amygdala and neuron death or excitotoxcity in the hippocampus gives us a lot of insight into why people tend to get locked into vicious cycles of aggression/violence and also explains PTSD.

With that said, Joseph LeDoux explains LTP beautifully in his book "The Emotional Brain". I would suggest reading and studying his book before reading this one.

This is an excellent book, well written and very intensive for understanding the dynamics involved in aggression. I find this book a primer in anger control and every helping professional must have this one available for their reference.

This is an very good book, when I present evidence from this book in my sociology class it leaves the professor annoyed.

As a distinguished Doctor of Pyschology, this is an excellent book in analizing the mind of a....nevermind.