Last week, during a TV program I participated in, we discussed "humans and violence" from the past to the present. We talked about the definition, origin, examples from history, victimized societies, and many other topics. It was incredibly enjoyable and informative for me. I wanted to share some points I focused on during the discussion.

First of all, what comes to mind when we hear the word “violence”? Does violence equal physical force?

Violence comes from the Arabic word "shadid," meaning severe or harsh. In English, it is defined as "violence," which has a broader meaning.

Violence is not just physical force. When we talk about violence, we should not only think of physical violence. We should think of anything that harms or threatens the physical, mental, or moral integrity of a living being or society.

You may have heard of sexual, emotional, and economic violence. Cyber violence, after collective violence, and soon robotic violence will likely be topics of discussion (can robots apply violence to humans?). Therefore, we should not limit violence to physical violence.

Who are the victims of violence?

If you type “violence” into Google, the first pages often show content about “violence against women.” Yes, unfortunately, women are among the most victimized. But the list of victims is long:

• Children
• Elderly people
• Peer violence (especially in schools)
• Sibling violence (one of the least researched topics)
• LGBT
• Refugees
• People with disabilities

We should not only think of violence as directed toward another person. A person can also engage in self-directed violence. A person can harm their own physical, mental, or moral integrity. Suicide and substance use are examples of self-directed violence.

Where does violence appear?

Violence is not only on the streets. Violence occurs at home, in workplaces (mobbing), on social media, in videos, and even in the games our children play…

So, why does violence exist? Why do some people turn to violence?

Here are the reasons I found in my research:

• Negative childhood experiences – abuse, neglect, negative household situations (substance abuse by parents or relatives, criminal records, traumatic divorces, mothers displaying violent behavior)
• Growing up without love or sharing – “A child unloved by their village will eventually burn the village down to feel the warmth of that love”
• Personality disorders – antisocial personality disorder (psychopathy), Machiavellian personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder (I would also add sadistic personality disorder, but it has been removed from DSM-5, so I mentioned it in parentheses)
• Difficulties in emotion management – particularly anger management
• Traumas, pressure, coercion

There are many violent videos on social media, and they are watched by millions. A violent video can be viewed millions of times on YouTube in a matter of minutes. Why do TV shows or programs featuring fights or violence gain high ratings?

Recently, I have received many questions about this. Do people enjoy watching violent videos? Do they watch because they think justice is being served? Do they find it entertaining?

Here are three theories I came across:

One theory suggests that we place ourselves in the position of the person in the video while watching. Another theory argues that we have destructive energy inside of us, and by watching these videos or programs, this destructive energy is released. Of course, this energy can rise as well.

Another explanation is related to an experiment with rats. It proposes that aggression activates the reward mechanism in our brains.

Although there is no definitive explanation, I believe this is a topic that requires thorough research.

Do violent games and videos lead children to violence?

In the 1980s, a long-term and comprehensive study was conducted on children who watched violent TV programs. It was found that children who watched violent TV programs displayed more aggressive behaviors during adolescence than those who did not. In adulthood, they were also more likely to commit crimes and get arrested.

It is difficult to say that games and videos directly cause violence, but…

They desensitize children,

They foster aggressive thoughts and behaviors,

They prevent children from becoming anxious when encountering dangerous situations,

They make children perceive their environment as hostile,

They hinder empathy, prosocial behavior, and solidarity...

What should we do?

Being conscious of violence is one of the first steps we can take. Everyone needs to be aware, and everyone has a role in this awareness process. Education begins in the family and continues in society. Families, peer groups, schools, workplaces, and society as a whole must be knowledgeable about violence and violent behaviors. We must teach children early on how to manage their emotions, solve problems, be empathetic, and practice prosocial behaviors. We should teach them methods for calming down, how to say no, and how to be altruistic. As adults, we should also work on improving these skills and move away from egocentric, utilitarian approaches.