President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluated the issue of violence and the psychology of violence.
Media visibility both increases violence and desensitizes
Prof. Tarhan, referring to IPSOS' research conducted in 29 countries, stated that according to the studies, violence is also statistically increasing, and evaluated the media's role in this process as follows:
“Violent incidents are the vital food of the media. Because extraordinary events increase viewership. Humans are biologically more sensitive to negativity. Even when the media does this to raise awareness, the frequent repetition of images leads to desensitization in people. Some individuals model violence, some develop an avoidance behavior which we call ‘bad world syndrome,’ some young people become aggressive, and some become depressed.”
Prof. Tarhan stated that social violence is the most increasing type of violence today, saying, “Violence seriously increases in cultures with a lack of empathy and alcohol, substance addiction. The use of prohibited substances strengthens a person's tendency to harm both themselves and their surroundings. When violence combines with a perception of impunity in these cultures, bullying becomes normalized. A person should not even have the freedom to harm themselves.”
Aggression increases as the sense of shame weakens
Prof. Tarhan, also touching upon the cultural dimension of violence, stated, “In societies where the sense of shame weakens, respect decreases.” Prof. Tarhan, noting that violence remains at a low level in Japanese culture due to the exaltation of shame, gave the following example:
“In Japan, the feeling of embarrassment in front of society is so strong that a person can reach the point of suicide due to shame. This cultural control mechanism preserves social order. However, as the sense of shame weakens in new generations, respect, along with empathy, erodes. Children begin to see not caring about others' rights and belongings as normal. As empathy and the sense of shame weaken, aggression increases.”
The rule of ‘Do not do to others what you do not want done to you’
Prof. Tarhan stated that the rapid spread of egocentrism and indifference underlies social disintegration, saying, “In 20 years, we too may face the egocentric, insensitive culture of the West. The understanding of ‘What do I care if someone else starves, as long as I am full?’ is spreading. This approach is a global threat. In the 1993 Declaration Toward a Global Ethic in Chicago, the rule ‘Do not do to others what you do not want done to you’ was universally emphasized. There is a need for this again today.”
A person can rewrite the algorithm in their brain
Prof. Tarhan noted that violent tendencies can be changed, drawing attention to the epigenetic and neuroplastic structure of the brain. Prof. Tarhan continued:
“When a thought enters a person's brain, if emotion is added to that thought, it becomes a belief. If maintained for six weeks, it becomes a habit; if maintained for six months, it becomes a personality. When a wrong thought is recognized, a person can rewrite the algorithm in their brain. We call this ‘reprogramming.’ Alternative thinking techniques, mental flexibility that changes ways of coping with stress, are very effective in transforming violent tendencies.”
Prof. Tarhan stated that the most active way to keep the brain engaged is not just learning information, but experiencing and explaining what has been learned, and said, “The brain works on a ‘use it or lose it’ principle. People who are open to new experiences and break routines are even more resistant to Alzheimer's. In people who constantly do the same thing, do not think, or question, brain pathways atrophy.”
Behind violence lies depression and stress
Prof. Tarhan stated, “A significant portion of male violence is actually clinical cases,” adding, “Many men are unaware of their anger; they are actually experiencing depression. While women express their emotions by crying, men express them through anger. Violence is often a form of depression's outward manifestation. Stress levels are globally very high. The human brain lives in a perception of threat as if encountering a lion every day. This biological stress load increases violence and suicide.”
Prof. Tarhan, noting that suicide rates are rapidly rising globally, especially among young people, stated, “In the UK, there are more deaths due to suicide than traffic accidents among young people aged 16-24. This is a global alarm.”
Emphasizing the need for self-control and empathy education at individual and societal levels to prevent violence, Prof. Tarhan said, “Solutions cannot be produced without understanding the biological, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of violence. People need to be taught self-awareness, self-control, empathy, and alternative ways of thinking. If this education starts at an early age, solidarity, respect, and compassion can once again take root in society.”
What do genetic studies say?
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, drawing attention to scientific findings on whether violence is innate, said, “Many genetic studies have been conducted on violence. It was investigated whether there is a ‘crime gene’. The common point in research is this: There is a gene related to aggressive tendencies, but there are no born criminals. There are no born psychopaths.”
Prof. Tarhan, pointing out the importance of the dopamine and COMT genes, stated that these genes can increase aggressive tendencies in some individuals, but this does not mean they will turn to crime:
“The GG allele of the COMT gene was found to be very high, especially in mixed martial artists in the USA. The same gene increases the risk of psychosis in some individuals. But this is not a disease, it's a predisposition gene. What matters is where the person channels that energy.” Prof. Tarhan said that among two siblings with similar genes, one could become a scientist while the other could turn to crime, and he added, “Genes are capital; using them for good or bad is related to a person's free will.” Prof. Tarhan, emphasizing that behaviors learned in childhood are not destiny, stated, “You don't have the right to say 'my father was violent to me, so I will also be violent'. You learn until the age of 15, but after 15, you have the responsibility to change it.”
Narcissistic personalities; may resort to violence if you don't do as they say
Prof. Tarhan, emphasizing that violent behavior is not only physical, but that threats, mobbing, and economic pressure are also types of violence, listed the most at-risk personality structures as follows:
“Firstly, antisocial personalities; they are skilled in crime, ruthless. Secondly, narcissistic personalities; they may resort to violence if you don't do as they say. Thirdly, borderline personalities; they are unpredictable, unstable. Fourthly, histrionic personalities; they are theatrical, they can facilitate violence.”
Moral reasoning should be taught during kindergarten
Prof. Tarhan stated that if moral reasoning is not taught to a child, that child may turn to violence in the future, saying, “Since this skill does not develop spontaneously, it must be acquired from an early age. If an education system wants to make a child strong against violence and addiction, it should teach moral reasoning during kindergarten. In this era, our greatest guides are reason and science. We must rely not only on religious soundness, as we have been accustomed to for centuries, but also on scientific soundness.”
There is an increase in the number of people who enjoy doing evil today
Prof. Tarhan, referring to research on violence, continued:
“People need to develop empathy, respect for others, and kindness. For this reason, the concept of ‘peer kindness’ is being tried to be used instead of ‘peer bullying’. In fact, it's more accurate to say ‘peer benevolence’ rather than just peer kindness. Because if a person makes doing good the center of their life, they develop benevolent behaviors and do not resort to violence. They can more easily respect the rights of others. Evil is not expected from a person who enjoys doing good. Unfortunately, there is an increase in the number of people who enjoy doing evil today.”
Some people get angry very easily when stress increases
Prof. Tarhan also drew attention to the fact that a culture of pressure increases violence, stating, “Violence rises in families, institutions, and societies where power lies with individuals rather than with the law.”
Prof. Tarhan, pointing to the effects of rapid changes in social structure on mental health, said, “There is a fast-paced life due to increased social and economic mobility. This speed raises stress levels in people. When stress rises, some individuals get angry very easily. 60–70% of those who go to prison are remorseful; most make decisions in a moment of anger. Additionally, substance abuse and economic problems trigger anger.”
Prof. Tarhan concluded his words by stating that psychiatric problems have significantly increased after the pandemic, saying, “Currently, the most conducted drug studies in the world are on antidepressants. Depression research came first after Covid, then second. This situation indicates an increase in anger, crime, violence, divorces, and domestic conflicts in the background.”
