Hostility

Hostile impulses

Nature

Hostility refers to an antagonistic attitude or behavior characterized by aggression, resentment, or opposition towards others. It manifests in various forms, including verbal abuse, physical violence, and social exclusion, often stemming from unresolved conflicts, fear, or perceived threats. Hostility can disrupt interpersonal relationships, contribute to social discord, and escalate into broader societal issues, such as discrimination and violence. It poses significant challenges in conflict resolution, mental health, and community cohesion, necessitating strategies for fostering empathy, communication, and understanding to mitigate its detrimental effects on individuals and society as a whole.

Claim

A persistent hostile, aggressive attitude keeps the body in a permanent state of stress and overtaxes the adrenal glands. Excessive adrenalin in the blood causes circulatory problems.

Counter-claim

It is not proven that chronic hostility, a cynical, suspicious temperament and explosive anger are related to early death and heart disease, as is popularly claimed. Several contradictory studies also exist which fail to find such a relationship.