[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> The fact is that "human cruelty" and "genocide" are historically part of our
> make-up and we have been good at it (as a species) for a very long time.
I see we have been reading too much Lorenz and Freud. This comment seems to
suggest that we have an aggressive instinct. I don't recall scientists finding a
gene that would predispose mankind to act aggressively (regardless of ethnicity
and culture). I would recommend reading Baron & Richardson (1994) Human
Aggression text. It provides a nice critique of these theories. Also, Berkowitz
(1993) Aggression: Its causes, consequences, and control -- provides a very good
analysis of the instinctual argument. Each of these authors come to the same
conclusion regarding the notion that "human cruelty" is part of our make-up.
Essentially, the evidence does not support that gloomy picture of mankind. Of
course, being a social psychologist, I do have my own biased opinion ;-)
Have a happy summer!
Michael Hulsizer
Webster University
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
