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Violence and aggression

Vintage still from a Laurel and Hardy movie. One man is gripping another’s nose with a tool while a third observes.

Violence and aggression

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Ever taken pleasure in another’s pain? That’s ‘everyday sadism’

It’s not just killers who are sadistic. To counteract the suffering caused by everyday sadism, recognise how common it is

by Lucy Foulkes

A pensive-looking woman is listening to headphones on a bus on a rainy evening

Communication and language

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Listening in on horror: why many women love true crime podcasts

True crime podcasts turn violence against women into a form of entertainment. Why do so many female listeners enjoy them?

by Amelia Anthony

A man in a hat and coat holding his collar, with a bottle and glass of whiskey in the foreground, in a dimly lit setting.

Violence and aggression

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What do you really want when you want to get your revenge?

An evolutionary deterrent and a defence of one’s honour, revenge is relatively harmless – until it’s exacted on the innocent

by Renée Danziger

Black-and-white photo of numerous human skulls arranged in rows inside a room with plain walls and natural light from a window.

Violence and aggression

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Recognising our common humanity might not be enough to prevent hatred

The dehumanisation idea is compelling, and efforts to reduce it well-meaning, but it’s a flawed explanation of intergroup harm

by Harriet Over

A hand holding the frame of an open door, revealing a dimly lit storage area with shelves holding various items, including books and boxes.

Violence and aggression

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Why psychological research on child sex offenders is important

‘I am not one of those guys.’ The cognitive distortions of child sex offenders need to be better understood and treated

by Meetali Devgun

Two people, silhouetted against city lights, stand at a zebra crossing with cars passing by on a rainy night.

Violence and aggression

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The details of the situation shape whether a sexual assault occurs

The details of the situation play a powerful role in whether a sexual assault happens. That’s something we can influence

by Betsy Levy Paluck & Ana Gantman

Floral bouquets and a sign depicting the London Underground logo with the text  “London Stands United. We Are Not Afraid” are attached to a black fence.

Violence and aggression

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Can counterterrorist strategies help in abusive relationships?

What can counterterrorism strategies teach us about fighting the distorted threats and destabilisation of gaslighting?

by Christiana Spens