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Things of Darkness: The Nature of Human Violence

In this lecture, Professor Gwen Adshead will explore current conceptualisations of violence, using criminological, penal and psychological perspectives. She will discuss why rates of violence appear to be falling, and whether all forms of violence are the same.

She will explore the relationship between mental disorder and violence, and the concept of 'normal' violence in liberal democracies.

Dr. Adshead will suggest that it may be fruitful to understand violence as a multiply determined act which has meaning for the perpetrator.

Dr. Gwen Adshead is Visiting Gresham Professor of Psychiatry and currently consultant forensic psychiatrist at Ravenswood House. (from gresham.ac.uk)

The Nature of Human Violence


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