HATE SPEECHES AND BEHAVIOUR

A Précis

Abstract

Expressions of hate pervaded the international media recently, with Nigeria being so badly hit that war was anticipated in some quarters. This scenario motivated this search for a deeper understanding of the subject of hate as a psychological concept by seeking answers to these questions: What are possible explanations and motivation for hatred? Is hate to be understood from the perspective of aberrant behavior? What are possible mitigation measures? Through a deductive application of the Duplex Theory of Hate, the Limbic Energy Hypothesis, and the Social Responsibility and Role Integration Theory, the paper identified miscreant, mindless or inappropriate leadership at all levels of socialization: family, ethnic, religious and political as responsible for hate cognitions and behaviour. Hate speeches and crime will drastically reduce in the face of the rule of law, joined with psychoeducation for adequate parenting, responsible and mindful leadership from the family through the agents of socialization and government agencies. This will in time develop a people with enthusiastic positive and productive outlook in life: an antithesis of hate attitude.