Hot climates up aggression
Researchers developed a new model that goes beyond the simple fact that hotter temperatures seem to be linked to more aggressive behaviour.
Washington: Hot climates and less variation in seasonal temperatures lead to a faster life strategy, less focus on the future and lower self-control, according to a new study that explains why some violent crime rates are higher near the equator than other parts of the world.
Researchers developed a new model that goes beyond the simple fact that hotter temperatures seem to be linked to more aggressive behaviour.
“Climate shapes how people live, it affects the culture in ways that we don't think about in our daily lives,” said Brad Bushman, from the Ohio State University in the US.
“We believe our model can help explain the impact of climate on rates of violence in different parts of the world,” said Paul van Lange, from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
The researchers call the new model CLimate Aggression, and Self-control in Humans (CLASH). Many studies have shown that levels of violence and aggression are higher in hot climates, researchers said.
The General Aggression Model suggests hot temperatures make people uncomfortable and irritated, which makes them more aggressive. “But that doesn't explain more extreme acts, such as murder,” Bushman said.