Sociocultural and therapeutic perspectives on violence

Violence is a complex behavior and like all behaviors it occurs in the context of culture. The causes of violence and the various ways that it becomes manifest are influenced by the prevailing attitudes of a society and that society's perspective on the aims and legitimacy of particular forms of violence. Violence encompasses a wide range of human behavior that has interacting biologic, psychological, and social components. This article has addressed the various theories of aggression and violence, diagnostic issues related to victimization by violence, and therapeutic concerns in treating both victims and perpetrators of violence.