HMN 2025: What are the psychological roots of violence

A brutal childhood, glorified toughness, destructive images of masculinity: the recent scandal surrounding Elon Musk’s father Errol shows how abused power, violence and outdated notions of masculinity continue to have an impact today. According to research by the New York Times, Errol Musk is alleged to have abused five of his children and stepchildren—allegations he denies. But the debate highlights a fundamental pattern: violence as part of male self-definition.

This very pattern is the focus of a recently published study by Alexander Yendell (FGZ Leipzig) and David Herbert (University of Bergen). The study analyzed over 1,000 respondents in the United Kingdom and was published in the journal Politics & Governance.

One result stands out: those who condone violence in the name of a “masculine image of men”—for example, that men should protect their families with violence or fight for honor—are far more likely to support war. This rigid image of masculinity is the strongest single factor behind support for war. In addition, authoritarian subordination, radical political views—and above all sadistic character traits, i.e. the desire to torture or humiliate others—also increase the willingness to support wars.

“Wars are not just the result of strategic decisions. They reflect deep-seated psychological structures—and at the forefront of these are images of men that glorify violence,” says Yendell.

The study shows that people who experienced violence or abuse as children are more likely to develop authoritarian, sadistic and rigid notions of masculinity—and are usually less critical of war later in life. Such experiences promote patterns of thinking that justify violence.

The researchers warn against explaining wars solely in terms of individual rulers. The decisive factor is that broad sections of the population share certain patterns. It is not the individual alone who decides, but societies that support such attitudes.

Vladimir Putin, who grew up in harsh conditions and is stylized as a strong man, embodies these psychological patterns in an extreme form—supported by a society in which harshness and violence are often ingrained from childhood.

Those who want to prevent violence and war must look beyond politics and strategy. They must recognize the psychological roots—and these lie primarily in hardened, violence-legitimizing images of masculinity.

The content is provided for information purposes only.