Ronald E. Young, Contributor

The film Seeing Red: The Science of Violence, written, directed and edited by Dr Mark Thomas and produced by Dr Judith Mendes, provides a novel, fast-paced look at the link between poor child nutrition and social environment and the tendency to impulsive violence.

A stark portrayal of the situation in Jamaica, the film explains that we all have an inherent tendency towards violence without which we would not survive as a species. The tendency is mediated by a direct pathway from the external stimulus to the brain triggering an automatic defensive or offensive reaction.

Controlling responses

However, we learn to control these direct responses through slower, more complex pathways to our brains, which take more factors into account in making decisions to act violently. These pathways begin developing early in childhood and continue slowly to mature by the early 20s.

Modern science shows that these indirect pathways are less active than normal in impulsive murderers, and that exposure to violence both reduces and is associated with reduced levels of certain chemicals in the brain which can promote activity in the moderating pathways. Physical damage can block activity in these pathways, but stress, inherent predisposition, negative experiences and developmental setbacks can also play a role.

Inadequate nutrition, poor parenting, exposure to violence at home and in the broader society, and severely restricted life opportunities all take their toll on the developing brain and serve as a production line for persons with 'short fuses' and a propensity to impulsive, violent behaviour.

The film was produced as part of the UWI/UNESCO Science/Media Project.

Effects of violence

Violence affects children and leads to poor academic performance, aggressive, antisocial and delinquent behaviour.

Witnessing violence

- At home, in school or in their community

Mental effects

Impacts the brain affecting cognition and IQ

Watching violent action movies, soap operas at least 20 hours a week

Poor academic performance

- Parental and family instability

- Child shifting

Effects on behaviour

- Loss of a family member

- Child becomes aggressive

and delinquent

- Displays antisocial tendencies

Victim of violence

- At home, in school or in their community

- Corporal punishment