Children who are born with aggressive tendencies need not necessarily continue to demonstrate these behaviours throughout their lifetime, research has suggested.
According to experts at the University of Montreal, the preschool years are vital for teaching children how to regulate physical aggression.
Genetic and environmental factors are both important in influencing whether or not a child learns how not to be violent, and those who do not learn at this stage stand a much higher chance of becoming aggressive adults.
Richard Tremblay, professor of paediatrics, psychiatry and psychology, presented the findings at a Royal Society discussion meeting.
He said: 'The early years of human development are on 'fast forward' and it is during this time period that physical aggression increases most dramatically and environment plays a very important role in the extent to which physical aggression develops or is controlled.
'Identifying the factors which stop children becoming well socialised adults should help us design preventative measures which are employed at the right time in a child's development. These should put an appropriate emphasis on the behaviour of the parents, as well as that of the child.'
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