Final answer:
Margaret Mead attributed the origins of human violence to cultural influences that exacerbate natural suspicions and can lead to intergroup hostility and violence. She recognized the innate human tendency to react aggressively to perceived threats, but she emphasized that culture plays a decisive role in shaping this response.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead, the origins of human violence can be attributed to the powerful effects of culture on human behavior. Mead suggested that aggressive acts between different groups could escalate due to various factors, such as religious beliefs, language, or skin color, leading to overt hostility and eventual violence. The transmission of hatred across generations becomes a significant consequence, as cultural elements perpetuate the cycle of distress, resentment, and anger, which could result in continuing violence even many generations later.
Mead's work indicates that while humans are not 'innately aggressive,' there is an innate tendency to behave aggressively in response to perceived threats. This is influenced greatly by cultural factors, which can determine what is perceived as a threat. Additionally, in certain societies, aggression and violence might be promoted and praised, exacerbating the situation.
It's important to note that organized violence is not a necessary outcome of human development, such as agriculture, as there have been peaceful farming communities. However, the aggregation of people in cities as seen in ancient Mesopotamia, according to some theories, either led to or was a response to, increased instances of organized violence.