Anger and aggression are part of life we live everyday. Aggressive behaviour can be viewed as both positive and negative, the difference is where the aggression is directed and what form it takes on. Road Rage is the common violence and aggression many North Americans experience when behind the wheel of an automobile. The analysis of road rage and what causes it, as examined in this report as an example, is drawn from the research of Brian Parkinson . Parkinson's research provides an example of anger and aggression in its release through road rage, which provides an example relevant to most people through either personal experience of road rage or recent North American mass media coverage on this topic.
Aggression is "behaviour intended to injure another person who does not want to be injured". An individual who is aggressive in business or sports is using their aggression as a motive for success. When released in this way, the aggressive behaviours are allowed to act upon an environment where they are acceptable and without physical injury. This is a form of instrumental aggression, defined as "inflicting harm in order to obtain something of value". .
Male aggression against other males is most often the result of challenge or threat while aggression between males and females is generally the result of sexual jealousy or a last attempt to maintain control over the situation. Males are more likely to resort to physical aggression whereas females are more likely to resort to verbal aggression as their gender defined outlets of aggressive release. One possible suggestion for male dominance in aggression is the role of Testosterone, which would reinforce the biological basis for aggression in humans. There is evidence to support such an idea, but because it is based on correlation it does not prove that the cause of aggression is testosterone. .
Aggression is difficult to isolate to a single cause or source.
