Aggression can sometimes have positive outcomes. For example, it may help a person overcome competition to rise to the top at work. But when aggression is fueled by negative emotions such as anger and when it interferes with life--trouble with the law for fighting, for instance--it is problematic. This type of aggression often has underlying brain pathology.
Definition
There are two general subtypes of aggression. Instrumental aggression is goal oriented and purposeful. Reactive impulsive aggression is typically associated with anger. Reactive aggression typically is considered pathological aggression, referring to hostile, injurious or destructive behavior caused by frustration, according to Larry Siever, M.D. in The American Journal of Psychiatry in a 2008 article. Randy Nelson and Brian Trainor, in July 2007's "Nature Reviews Neuroscience," explain that aggressive behavior is likely a product of evolution, because it aids in competition over scarce resources. Consider the aggressive employee in pursuit of a coveted promotion within an organization. Pathological aggression is recognizable because it is motivated by anger, fear, irritation, frustration and other feelings, according to Nelson and Trainor.
Mechanisms
Developments in brain imaging techniques reveal how the brain is connected to behavior. Aggressive behavior is triggered when anger-provoking experiences are encountered, according to Siever. The central nervous system processes the anger and executes a response to the trigger.
Location
Initial evidence of which brain areas are responsible for aggression came from studies of people who had lesions on the frontal lobe of the brain, as discussed by Siever. The frontal lobes are involved with functions such as reasoning and decision making. Brain lesions can be from trauma, tumors or disturbances in metabolism. People with frontal-lobe impairment may demonstrate aggressive behavior.
Outcomes
When the frontal lobes are damaged, adults have been found to experience emotional disturbances, according to Siever. As a result of such damage, a person may not be able to deal with problems. For example, the patient may not be able to control his emotions sufficiently to prevent a confrontation from escalating into a fistfight. Since such behavior can lead to outcomes such as prison, someone with damaged frontal lobes can end up with a lower quality of life, as Siever explains.
Causes
While aggression can be a shared value in a competitive workplace, it also can have socioeconomic causes--the frustration of being unable to pay bills, for example--or be caused by brain changes or mood disorders. In addition, culture can shape what is considered aggressive behavior, so the definition of aggression can vary in different parts of the world.
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