The self-control of aggression is a fundamental pillar that has allowed humans to evolve as a social species. Our ability to regulate aggressive impulses has not only favored coexistence but also the development of cultures, technologies, and complex societies. However, when this mechanism fails, the consequences can be devastating, both individually and collectively.
Aggression, often stigmatized, is an adaptive response. In dangerous situations, aggressive impulses can ensure survival. However, in the context of an organized society, this instinct needs to be regulated to avoid destructive conflicts.
The key to this control lies in a sophisticated interaction between brain structures.
Humans have developed self-control mechanisms as a result of evolutionary pressures. According to a study published in Nature, societies that favored cooperation and control of aggression among their members tended to be more successful in survival. In other words, aggressive self-control is a product of our need to live in functional groups.
This phenomenon is known as "self-domestication," a term that describes how, over millennia, humans have selected characteristics that promote prosocial behaviors and reduce violence.
When self-control mechanisms fail, a spectrum of psychological and social problems arises. Major causes of these dysfunctions include genetic factors, neurological alterations, and environmental impacts.
The lack of regulation in aggression can have devastating consequences. From interpersonal conflicts to acts of mass violence, dysfunctions of self-control play a central role in severe social issues such as domestic abuse, bullying, and social unrest.
Globally, the effects of lack of self-control are also evident in armed conflicts and acts of terrorism, where unmoderated aggressive impulses combine with extreme ideologies.
The good news is that self-control is not a static mechanism; it can be strengthened with practice and support. Here are some evidence-based strategies: