Forms of Violence Part 2: Culturally Specific Expressions of Violence

Why would an anthropologist study violence? On a small scale, violence can harm individuals and on a large scale, lead to societal breakdown and cultural ruin. 

Isn’t that fundamentally antisocial? Well, it turns out that violence is highly social, and anthropology has a lot to say about it–from its origins, to its expression, to its relationship to society. And, what we’ve come to understand about violence may help promote peace. In other words, violence may be an inescapable part of human culture–and more closely linked to the better parts of our nature than you may have imagined.

Watch the full episode:

Resources:

Dunbar, E. and Blanco, A. (2014) Psychological perspectives on culture, violence and intergroup animus: evolving traditions in the bonds that tie and hate. APA handbook on multicultural psychology (2). '

World Health Organization. Changing cultural and social norms supportive of violent behavior.