Page 30 - Social Norms Survey

intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another

person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood
of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation.” The

definition in the World Report on Violence and Health (2002) in relation to children specifies
the “high likelihood of resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival,

development or dignity.”

The definition in the UN Study on Violence against Children (2006) is based on Article 19 of
the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which refers to “all forms of physical or mental

violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation,
including sexual abuse.”

There are scholarly and public discussions about anger, aggression and violence. These

highlight differences between what the general public considers aggression or violence to,
for example, a health or legal professional’s interpretation. The terms anger, aggression and

violence are often used interchangeably and the distinctions are important, especially in
how care professionals and policy makers manage them. Anger is an emotion, aggression

is behaviour, and violence is “an extreme subtype of aggression, a physical behaviour
with the intent to kill or permanently injure another person. Aggression and violence are

rarely constructive, and are only sometimes motivated by anger.” Some individuals
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channel their anger in destructive ways, while others, in more constructive ways (such as

advocating reforms, social benefits, etc.).

The General Aggression Model, suggests that certain events (an insult, or a slap) can
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activate aggressive thoughts, aggressive emotions or a combination of both, which can

trigger an aggressive impulse. “While elevated physiological arousal may increase the
likelihood that the person will enact that impulse, thinking through consequences and

considering alternate responses usually reduces aggression. Crucially, anger need not be
present.”

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7 Distinguished Professor Craig Anderson and Professor Douglas Gentile, of Iowa State University. “The Conversation
Anger, Aggression and Violence: it matters that we know the difference.” September 1, 2017 - https://theconversation.
com/anger-aggression-and-violence-it-matters-that-we-know-the-difference-82918
8 Craig A. Anderson and Brad J. Bushman Department of Psychology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011-3180;
HUMAN AGGRESSION, 2002; https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/afdb/6660572516addb602f671e7b8d5cec60d33d.pdf

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