The prevention of aggression has received scant attention within anthropology. It is noted that prevention has different levels: 1) prevention of aggression in the first place and 2) following aggression, the prevention of a) escalation among the original actors, and or b) the spread of aggression to other individualss. Additionally, the anthropological descriptions suggest that sometimes prevention of aggression largely reflects individual decisions and actions, although in other contexts prevention of aggression entails various group-level phenomena.

In fact, prevention mechanisms might be viewed as running along a continuum from the individual to the group level. Cross-cultural sources illustrate cultural variations and also recurring patterns. Specifically, aggression is prevented via diverse psychocultural mechanisms such as internalization of self-restraint towards expressing anger, self-restraint towards expressing aggression, socialized sensitivity toward the emotional state and needs of other persons, socially institutionalized systems of sharing and reciprocal cooperation, the use of apology and the showing of remorse, the activities of third parties (such as friendly peacemakers, mediators, arbitrators, and so on) to separate combatants and/or to help them settle a dispute without (further) aggression.

It is concluded that prevention activities are probably much more prevalent than might be indicated by the dearth of anthropological studies that focus on this topic. In closing, brief consideration is given to possible benefits of prevention activities for the individuals engaged in such actions.