How people behave is influenced by culture. Culture can be described as “a lattice of work constraints and affordances that shape the behavioral development of its members into similar patterns” (Bond, 2004). This is vital for psychological integrity. Culture plays a direct role in people’s identities and the beliefs they hold about life. Cultural influences can influence aggression. People will react aggressively if they feel threatened. Remember that people react differently to the exact same situations. Most people react to violence differently than those in movies. But this doesn’t hold true for everybody. Some people don’t respond to violence.
It all depends on what the surrounding environment is like. People who feel rejected, unsure or afraid of what they think are going to do will be more aggressive. Because they are convinced that the situation is hostile, these people may be aggressive even if no threats exist. People who think violence is a way to end conflict are more inclined to be aggressive than people who choose other ways. Low self-esteem is a sign that people are more likely to be aggressive. One great example is bullying. Bullies are aggressive when they become the center of attention.
A comparison between Canada, America and Mexico is one example that illustrates how aggression affects different cultures. As a nation, the United States is more violent than Canada. Research shows that American children who are born from the Middle East face a lower chance of developing aggressive tendencies than Americans brought here as a child.