A cognitive neuroscience approach to understanding aggression and its treatment
Ute Habel Lisa WagelsWhile anyone can behave aggressively, some people are more prone to aggression than others. We present a neuro-cognitive model and consider several inter-individual differences that confer risk for aggression. Forms of atypical cognitive function include a hyperreactive acute threat response, poor emotion regulation, and mechanisms involved in choosing when to aggress. We show dysfunction in the neural systems mediating these functions may account for aggression in people high in psychopathy/callous unemotional traits, irritability/anger, hostility, impulsivity, and low in frustration tolerance. We then review promising interventions including psychological therapies and pharmaceuticals that might influence the neuro-cognitive underpinnings of these constructs. Although there is no overwhelming “one size fits all” approach to treating aggression, identifying the neural mechanisms implicated in these traits may improve individualized treatments.
Blair, R. J., Habel, U., Votinov, M., Wagels, L., & Denson, T. F. (2025). A cognitive neuroscience approach to understanding aggression and its treatment. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 179, 106386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106386
Contributing projects
- A02: Context effects on threat processing in dependence of testosterone levels
- A04: Implicit chemosensory threat signals as stimulators of amygdala hyperresponsiveness in AMD
- B04: Investigating psychological and neural correlates of intimate partner violence
- Q03: Integrated Research Training Group (RTG)
- Q04: Central coordination