Introduction: Special issue on group processes and aggression [Editorial]

This special issue of Aggression and Violent Behavior focuses on group processes and the relationship of such processes to both the facilitation and reduction of aggression. In this special issue, we include a variety of offences under the general rubric of “aggression” including sexual offences, physical violence, bullying, and terrorist acts. Thus, a key issue underpinning this special issue relates to group perpetration of these aggressive behaviors, and the mechanisms within the group context that contribute towards—and maintain—these aggressive behaviors. Further key issues that naturally emanate from such discussions include how such aggression may be reduced through our knowledge of group processes. In short then, this special issue points to the ways in which we can use our knowledge of group processes in order to reduce aggression. The first, and most obvious is to develop strategies to reduce naturally occurring group processes so as to reduce aggression. The second involves using current knowledge of group processes to further develop our general therapeutic group work with a whole variety of offenders who may or may not have behaved aggressively within the group context. What matters here, then, is not whether the individual offended within a group, but how we can use current knowledge of group processes to further inform and improve our group therapy with offenders.