Aggression

Aggression, behavior characterized by physical or verbal attack. Aggression is defined by psychoanalysts as a manifestation of the will to have power over other people (Alfred Adler) or as a projection of the death impulse (Sigmund Freud). Unable to find a satisfactory explanation for the human readiness for hatred and aggression, Freud believed that it may be instinctual. Thus, the violent and strenuous behavior shown by infants may not be oriented toward a goal. Still, in many instances aggression that serves no apparent goal is associated with emotional disorder.

See also: Psychology.