Aggression

Gender and aggression

It has become clear that man’s sex hormone, testosterone, is connected with aggressive behavior. Research shows that the testosterone level of individuals convicted for grave crimes is higher than that of those convicted for crimes not connected with violence. Besides, convicts with a higher level of testosterone more often break the rules and get into conflicts with wardens. It has also become clear that juvenile offenders have significantly high levels of testosterone. Thus, if the level of testosterone impacts aggressiveness, we can conclude that men are more aggressive than women. It is a well-known fact that globally, men are more often arrested for criminal offense, or crimes against persons, whereas women – for crimes connected with property. Scientists are unable to explain what determines these differences - biological reasons or social education; however, there are certain proofs that biological gender differences have their say. In particular, recent changes in the USA, which significantly affected women’s social role, have not brought about any increase in number of grave crimes, committed by women. But the situation is the opposite among men who committed similar crimes. Yet, among women, a remarkable increase of crimes not connected with violence has been observed. This, of course, does not mean that women rarely express aggression; however, it seems that aggression, indeed, is not typical for women. According to psychologists, women, as a rule, feel more guilty and anxious after expressing aggression than men.

Scholar of the RA Police Academy,

Lieutenant of Police

Naira Nazaryan                   

“02" weekly, 13 (862). Unofficial translation