For generations, the social sciences have been trying to figure out how to reduce aggression among children. The results haven’t been especially exciting. Every other field of science has had the most amazing accomplishments. They have sent people to the moon. They have mapped the human genome. They have eradicated illnesses and split the atom. And after decades of research, the social sciences are still trying to figure out how to reduce aggression. Sibling Rivalry is as common as ever. Bullying in school, if anything, is getting worse. The best we seem to be able to do is call for zero-tolerance policies. Yet research has been showing unequivocally that zero-tolerance causes more harm than good.

The basic reason for our failure is that we have mistaken beliefs and attitudes regarding children’s aggression. We can’t solve problems if we understand them incorrectly. This lecture will get you to see that many of our commonly held beliefs about children’s aggression are misguided. These beliefs will be replaced my more realistic views, views may be unpopular and distasteful, but can help us deal with aggression rationally and effectively. You will leave having different views regarding things like violence in entertainment and news, playfighting, punishment, and the role of genetics versus learning. You will discover that many of the things you though were bad are actually good. And, we hope, you will leave being less hysterical about children’s aggression.