The Science of Hate: How prejudice becomes hate and what we can do to stop it

(Paperback, Main)

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Are our brains wired to hate
Does online hate incite violence on the streets
With hate crimes at an all-time high, what can we do to help turn the tide

Drawing on twenty years of research as well as his own experience as a hate crime victim, world-renowned criminologist Matthew Williams uncovers the answers to these pressing questions of our age.

Exploring evolution and biology as well as social media and global events such as financial meltdowns, worldwide pandemics and even sporting tournaments, Williams exposes the conditions for hateful behaviour. His journey sees him talking to perpetrators and victims, delving into the murky recesses of the internet and having his brain scanned by neuroscientists to reveal the science behind hate.

Traversing the globe and reaching back through time, from our tribal ancestors in prehistory to artificial intelligence in the twenty-first century, The Science of Hate is a groundbreaking and surprising examination of the elusive 'tipping point' between prejudice and hate.

Reviews

;An important read, combining an expert use of data with moving, personal storytelling. A key text for how we live now.' - David Baddiel

'A truly insightful book that can help us all understand why hate can overpower us. It is wise, disarming, persuasive and compassionate.' - Robin Ince

'Powerful. This is a world-changing book . . . From personal histories to broader social patterns, from individual criminal cases to the latest neuroscience and psychology, Matthew Williams' brilliant forensic dissection of hate reveals its insidious power - but also its weaknesses. This book is not just about how and why hate happens - it's about how to combat it.' - Alice Roberts

'This is an incredibly powerful, important and valuable book on what causes hate and how we can help prevent and defeat it.' - Peter Tatchell

'Fascinating . . . meticulously researched . . . written in a really accessible manner . . . expansive in approach and supplemented with so many real-world case studies. This is a really key contribution to our understanding of the divides in our society, and how these can perhaps be repaired.' - Dr Pragya Agarwal

'Williams is masterful at making this complex topic accessible, so we can all better understand hate and the dark side of human behaviour and finally, start to tackle it.' - Nova Reid

Author Bio

Matthew Williams is Professor of Criminology at Cardiff University, and is widely regarded as one of the world's foremost experts in hate crime. He advises and has conducted research for the UK Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the US Department of Justice and Google, among others. Williams also directs the 'HateLab', a multimillion-pound global hub for data and insight to monitor and counter online hate speech and crime, and has conducted the largest dedicated study of hate victimisation in the UK. His research has appeared in documentaries for both Panorama (BBC) and Exposure (ITV), and in major publications including The Guardian, The Times, Los Angeles Times, Scientific American and New Scientist. @MattLWilliams