Anderson, C.A. (2001). Heat and Violence.
Current
Directions in Psychological Science, 10, 33-38.
Abstract
The heat hypothesis states that hot temperatures can increase
aggressive motives and behaviors. Although alternative explanations occasionally
account for some portion of the observed increases in aggression when temperatures
are high, none are sufficient to account for most such heat effects. Hot
temperatures increase aggression by directly increasing feelings of hostility
and indirectly increasing aggressive thoughts. Results show that
global warming trends may well increase violent crime rates. Better climate
controls in many institutional settings (e.g., prisons, schools, the workplace)
may reduce aggression-related problems in those settings.
Key words: Temperature; Aggression; Violence; Global
Warming
© Copyright 1999 by Craig A. Anderson
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