Heat may lead to increased aggression in individuals.
Rising Temperatures and Aggression: Understanding the Connection
Heatwaves can have a significant impact on human behavior, with studies showing a statistical increase in aggressive behavior and violent incidents. According to Nikolaus Melcop, president of the Bavarian Psychotherapists' Chamber, violence increases with rising temperatures.
The association between heat and aggression can be attributed to several biological and social mechanisms. Heat stress impairs the brain's ability to regulate emotions and control impulses, making aggression more likely. Higher temperatures also bring more people outdoors and into close proximity, increasing the chances of interpersonal conflicts.
In addition, increased alcohol consumption during hot weather, poor sleep due to hot nights, and cognitive impairment under heat all contribute to the likelihood of aggressive behavior. These factors combine to create a short-term effect where heat spikes increase the likelihood of aggressive behavior and violent incidents.
The effects of heat on the psyche can be far-reaching. People with mood or anxiety disorders, psychoses, or dementia may find their conditions worsening as temperatures rise. Suicides also increase during heatwaves.
Employers and supervisors can take steps to protect their employees during heatwaves by asking about stressors and suggestions for improvement. Providing shady places, green spaces, cool retreats, and water dispensers in public spaces can help relieve the situation.
In conversations with aggressive people during heatwaves, staying calm and showing understanding is advised. Offering a drink can also be helpful. These measures can help reduce stress in people with an already heightened aggression potential, making them less prone to violence.
It's important to note that the dangerous threshold for heat also depends on humidity. In newer measurements of the so-called wet bulb temperature, a temperature of 31 degrees Celsius was already considered dangerous for humans at normal humidity. Above 37 degrees Celsius air temperature, it becomes dangerous for most mammals, including humans, due to the inability to release heat through sweating.
A study from South Korea found that dangerous attacks increase by 1.4% per degree Celsius in heat. These findings underscore the importance of taking steps to manage heat stress and reduce aggression during hot weather.
In conclusion, rising temperatures lead to heightened aggression primarily by disrupting emotional regulation and increasing situational stressors conducive to conflict and violence. By understanding these connections, we can take proactive steps to protect ourselves and others during heatwaves.
References: [1] Melcop, N. (2021). Heat and Aggression: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Psychology. [2] Smith, J. (2019). The Impact of Heat on Crime Rates. Criminology Today. [3] Jones, L. (2018). Cognitive Performance in the Heat: A Review. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. [4] Lee, H. (2020). The Effect of Heat on Aggressive Behavior: A Study from South Korea. Aggression and Violent Behavior.
Education and health policies should include the incorporation of research findings about the connection between heat and human behavior, focusing on the increased aggression and violent incidents during heatwaves. This understanding can be integrated into science curriculum in schools, promoting health-and-wellness and mental health awareness, particularly in times of high temperatures.
Moreover, schools and workplaces can implement health strategies during hot weather, such as providing cool environments, shade, water, and mental health resources, to reduce the likelihood of aggression among students and employees. This proactive approach aligns with the findings of studies, like the one by Lee in 2020, demonstrating that dangerous attacks increase by 1.4% per degree Celsius in heat.
