The Hypoglycemia-Aggression Hypothesis: Debate versus Research [and Comments and Reply]

In a critical evaluation of work by Ralph Bolton on the relationship between hypoglycemia and aggression among the Qolla of Peru, Ted Lewellen has argued that the Qolla are not highly aggressive, that they have been the victims of pseudoscientific stereotyping and prejudice, that they are not especi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current anthropology 1984-02, Vol.25 (1), p.1-53
Main Authors: Bolton, Ralph, Banerji, D., Bastien, Joseph, Basu, Amitabha, Bolles, Robert C., Brooke, John D., Cadorette, Curtis R., Dressler, William W., Hudspeth, William J., Hunt, Linda M., Browner, C. H., Johnson, Allen, Jones, W. T., Kaprow, Miriam Lee, Lewellen, Ted, Paddock, John, Picón-Reátegui, E., Saha, N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aggression/Aggressive/Aggressiveness
Communities
Ethnography
Glucose tolerance test
Homicide
Homicide rates
Hostility
Human aggression
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemic agents
Peru/Peruvian/Peruvians
Society, The, of
Stereotypes
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Summary:In a critical evaluation of work by Ralph Bolton on the relationship between hypoglycemia and aggression among the Qolla of Peru, Ted Lewellen has argued that the Qolla are not highly aggressive, that they have been the victims of pseudoscientific stereotyping and prejudice, that they are not especially prone to problems in glucose homeostasis, and that whatever aggression they display can be explained in large part by their consumption of alcohol. This article offers a refutation of Lewellen's claims. Following an examination of the evidence on Qolla homicide rates, the author discusses Lewellen's explanations for the inconsistent conclusions of different ethnographers concerning levels of aggression in Qolla society. He rejects Lewellen's hypotheses and proposes alternatives. A review of the literature on the hypoglycemia-aggression hypothesis shows that, contrary to Lewellen's assertion, there is considerable support for a relationship between these two phenomena. The article concludes with a discussion of the problem of stereotyping and of ethical issues related to research with strong policy implications.
ISSN:0011-3204
1537-5382
DOI:10.1086/203079