Brain and aggression Freud considered the source of human aggression to be the transfer by an individual of the energy of the primitive death drive from himself to external objects. Repeatedly returning to this problem, Freud argued: “The tendency to aggressive behavior is an ineradicable instinct of human nature. This instinct represents a serious obstacle to the development of civilization. The evolution of civilization is essentially a continuous process of internal struggle between the instincts of preservation and reproduction of life and the instinct of aggression and extermination.” Lorenz, who studied animal behavior, viewed aggression as adaptive rather than destructive behavior. But Freud and Lorenz are unanimous that aggressive energy is instinctive in nature. The problem of aggressive behavior in recent years has increasingly attracted the attention of psychologists: the increase in violence in modern society, constant press reports about mass unrest in different parts of the world, numerous civil and interethnic conflicts. For psychology, it is necessary to answer an important question: “What is the nature of human aggressiveness and what steps to take to prevent or control destructive behavior? A deep understanding of such behavior requires knowledge of neurophysiology. Neurophysiology of behavior provides a complete picture of the nature of aggression, and also explains what stimuli the brain reacts to, causing aggressive behavior. The causes of aggression are the possibility of satisfying or dissatisfying needs. Needs represent the foundation on which all behavior and all mental activity of a person is built. According to the theory of P.V. Simonov can distinguish three groups of biological needs: Vital (“vitally necessary”) Zoosocial (“directed to the future”) Aggressive reactions are a vital need for security. Centers of fear and centers of aggression are associated with it. Usually passive defensive programs and fear centers are launched, since they are less energy-consuming. For example, if you burn yourself on a hot frying pan, you will simply pull your hand away. A different behavior will occur when you are bitten by a mosquito. Most likely you will slam him. This is an aggressive action, and is replaced by an active-defensive program. (attack on a source of danger; aggression, rage) Before an active defensive reaction occurs, the body gives signs. If you look at the behavior of mammals, fish, birds - these are threatening poses, facial expressions, exaggeration of body size, demonstration of “weapons”. In humans, such signals are given by the body in the form of facial expressions. And our visual system recognizes aggressive facial expressions innately, since these are basic facial expressions. Initially, aggression appears as one of two types of reactions to actually or potentially dangerous events. Aggressive reactions are beneficial to use when something has gone wrong: lack of resources: food, territories, breeding partners; When establishing a hierarchy; parental aggression. Those. aggression has become promoted with many behavioral programs to meet important needs. In these cases, aggression infuses additional energy into behavior to overcome obstacles. In reasonable doses, it is useful. Responsible for aggression: - the hypothalamus, it produces endocrine and autonomic reactions, as well as emotions; - the amygdala at the first stage ensures the collection of stress signals, then they are carried to the hypothalamus and the frontal cortex of the cerebral hemispheres; -the cingulate gyrus is involved in the comparison of real and expected results of behavior, triggers the generation of “quick” emotions that are not related to the final result. The cingulate gyrus, together with the frontal cortex, predicts our behavior and its consequences. And the better the cingulate gyrus works, the less aggression there is. If the activity of the amygdala is high, then there is higher aggression, a more cholesteric type of temperament. More often the choice of an active-defensive program. One of the great thinkers of the 20th century, K. Lorenz, called for very carefully.