Abstract |
Aggressive and violent behaviors are restrained by self-control. Self-control consumes a lot of glucose in the brain, suggesting that low glucose and poor glucose metabolism are linked to aggression and violence. Four studies tested this hypothesis. Study 1 found that participants who consumed a glucose beverage behaved less aggressively than did participants who consumed a placebo beverage. Study 2 found an indirect relationship between diabetes (a disorder marked by low glucose levels and poor glucose metabolism) and aggressiveness through low self-control. Study 3 found that states with high diabetes rates also had high violent crime rates. Study 4 found that countries with high rates of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (a metabolic disorder related to low glucose levels) also had higher killings rates, both war related and non-war related. All four studies suggest that a spoonful of sugar helps aggressive and violent behaviors go down.
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Authors | C Nathan DeWall, Timothy Deckman, Matthew T Gailliot, Brad J Bushman |
Journal | Aggressive behavior
(Aggress Behav)
2011 Jan-Feb
Vol. 37
Issue 1
Pg. 73-80
ISSN: 1098-2337 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 21064166
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aggression
(drug effects, physiology)
- Anger
- Female
- Glucose
(metabolism, pharmacology)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Self Concept
- Social Control, Informal
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