Intracellular pH: Its Measurement, Regulation, and Utilization in Cellular Functions

of perspectives. An evolutionary approach can be used to understand what conditions favor the expression of aggressive behavior. The aim of a mechanistic analysis is to understand the genetic and biochemical basis of aggression. Finally, since aggression is often viewed as disruptive to human society, techniques for predicting and influencing the aggressive potential of both normal and pathologically aggressive individuals are of obvious practical value. In general, the first volume is edited well and there are a number of recent references. The introductory chapter usefully abstracts the main points of the following twelve chapters, and all articles are accessible to the nonspecialist. Because of the extreme breadth of the material covered, it is impossible for a single reviewer to critique knowledgeably all the chapters, which range from studies of chimpanzee behavior to the role of therapy in resolving conflicts between family members. Medically oriented readers should be aware, however, that the evolutionary perspective is seriously shortchanged. Barchas's claim that the evolutionist cannot reliably predict the conditions most likely to elicit aggression is simply false; there is an extensive theoretical literature on this subject whose predictions are confirmed by numerous empirical studies. The broad usefulness of such an approach is all too obvious when one reads the review of biochemical, pharmacological, and genetic studies of aggression. Any animal behaviorist would have predicted the relatively recent physiological findings that "predatory aggression" (i.e., the capture of food) is distinct from other types of aggression involving the defense of resources or offspring. The many theoretical and field studies of parent-offspring conflict and changes in behavior associated with the onset of sexual maturity would be relevant to the two chapters on adolescent aggressive behavior. A comparative anthropological review of aggression in "primitive" societies would also have helped to place our own aggressive tendencies in better perspective. The references found in articles published in the journal Aggressive Behavior from 1975-1979, which comprise the second volume, can be used to gain entry into a variety of areas which deal with aggression. Although once again some fields are under-represented, the fine subject index can be used to locate articles whose bibliographies will lead into subjects poorly covered by this journal. This saves the reader from having to consult directly the twenty volumes, although the price for this service is rather high.