Not Hardwired: The Complex Neurobiology of Sex Differences in Violence

Behavior is the product of a brain shaped by a dynamic interaction between genetic and environmental factors. This neuroplasticity facilitates adaptation but can also lead to behavioral pathology when individuals with inherent vulnerabilities are exposed to dysfunctional environments, particularly early in life. Differences in the frequency and intensity of violent behavior in men and women may reflect underlying differences in brain structure, function, or connectivity that result from such interactions. This perspective provides a brief overview of research on sex differences in the neural circuitry mediating emotion, stress responses, and a specific gene–environment interaction, all of which may contribute to sex differences in violence.