Social Psychiatry, Vol. 44 No. 3, 2016.
Review article
Social, biological and psychodynamic aspects of violence
Matej Nedić
; University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Darko Marčinko
; University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Lovorka Postružin
; University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to present studies about violence from different perspectives with regard
to psychodynamic, biological and social causes of violence in our society. In addition, this review article
provides an overview of different definitions of violence as well as the relationship between violence and
shame, psychodynamics of group violence and the suicidal state of mind. Special emphasis is given to
the therapy of violent individuals with mentalization-based therapy (MBT), aimed at improving the ability
of violent individuals who are known to have a problem with mentalization to mentalize better, but other
therapeutic interventions are also presented. At the end of this review article authors highlight the role of
positive emotions in the prevention of violence. Although violence is unfortunately inevitably present in our
lives, we highlight the function of joy as a feeling of discovering ourselves once again, hope as feeling of
internal belief which assures us that support is the predominant feeling, and humor as form of a mature
defense mechanism, mild irony and awareness of transience and finality of life. Prevention of violence
involves a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the problem with intent to develop a healthy,
non-alienated society that emphasizes balanced and healthy interpersonal relationships, a society that is
capable of recognizing violence and the potential for violence as well as prevent fulfilment of that potential;
this review article presents studies about violence and related issues.
Keywords
social, biological, psychodynamic, aspects of violence; mentalization; shame
Hrčak ID:
165952
URI
Publication date:
12.9.2016.
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