Aggression – a physical or verbal behavior intended to cause harm – is a part of every culture and society. It would not be wrong to say that aggression has its roots in the primal ages. If one looks around to observe aggression in our cultural context, one can identify multiple examples of both hostile and instrumental aggression. While hostile aggression is ‘driven by anger and performed as an end in itself’, instrumental aggression is more about getting a desired end result.

In our cultural context when people are extremely agitated by load shedding of electricity, and gas, they come out on the roads protesting. The violent protest when people damage public properties, shout, and fight the forces stopping them, is an example of instrumental aggression. The reason being that people want some resolution on the issues they are annoyed and angry about.

An example that takes place in almost every household is when the earning male of the household comes home and becomes aggressive over dinner which he does not like. After shouting or scolding the aggression normally vanishes. This is an example of hostile aggression, as after letting out the anger the person reverts to the normal behavior.

Be it road aggression, office, political, religious or authoritative aggression, it always has a cause. Aggression can be a result of frustration. Usually when one sets high goals and is unable to achieve them, causes the person a feeling of defeat and frustration. This frustration further leads towards aggression, either hostile or instrumental.

Aggression in our cultural context can be related to the genes or genetics. If one surveys the ancestors of this land, we can notice that many of them were involved in wars, fights, dominance and power issues. The names of Halaku Khan and Bulbin are evident exemplifications of aggression. So it can be stated that people in our culture are genetically more aggressive.

Aggression is also said to be learned behavior, as children and people in general imitate their surrounding people. It is a usual observation in our culture that children who play fighting games tend to be more restless, hyper and usually involved in fights with fellows.

Another issue prominent in our culture is encouraging male domination. Boys from a very young age are seen to be confident, brave, given guns to play with and allowed to use bad language even. This increases aggression among the males as they keep up with their dominating behavior. Heat, pain, mental pressures and socioeconomic pressures are also a few leading reasons that influence aggression among individuals in our culture.

When one considers the question of how to control aggression, the simple answer would be to eliminate the causes. Encourage people to keep attainable goals, so as to increase the chances of getting the desired results. This will reduce frustration, and will not produce any aggression.

Another way to deal with an aggressive person is to not to give in for aggressive behavior. Reward non-aggressive behavior, as it will be reinforcing it and so lowering aggression. Provide children with a healthier environment, in which physical activity is an important part. Conclusively, aggression can be controlled by removing all the causing factors.