Violence and Biology: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Experts agree that the origins of violence are multifactorial, involving the complex interactions of macro-, meso-, and micro-system factors. The roles of cultural, economic, and family factors have been noted extensively in the social work literature, but the contributions of biological factors to violence have been overlooked. The author reviews evidence pertaining to the role of biology in interaction with the myriad other forces that converge in acts of violence. Social work administrators as well as direct practitioners need such knowledge to make informed judgments about the role of social work in violent situations. Implications for practice are discussed.