This review explores the meaning and origins
of aggression in early years. Eight pathways to aggression
with origins in early childhood are suggested. These include:
the contribution of individual factors; the effects of disturbed
family dynamics; parental characteristics and parenting
practices; the impact of exposure to violence and the influence
of attachment relationships. Other influences such as: aggression
relating to psychiatric/medical syndromes; the influence of
neurodevelopment pathways and psychodynamic explanations,
such as aggressive behavior in relation to mothers’ reflective
capacity are also discussed.