Most Americans see the human capacity for violence as something that comes and goes
Core finding
Most Americans view the human propensity for violence as variable rather than constant: 58% say it runs stronger at some times than others, according to an April 2025 Verasight survey.
About one-in-five (19%) instead see it as unchanging over time, while 12% say it gradually diminishes and a matching 12% fit none of these descriptions.
Topline distribution
Most Americans see the human capacity for violence as something that comes and goes.
Do you believe that human propensity for violence is:
n = 1,000 · Apr 9–15, 2025 · MoE ±3.5%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Apr 9–15, 2025 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.5% |
| Module | elections |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- verasight-mpsa-2025.tiiny.co
Do you believe that human propensity for violence is:
Cite this question
Verasight MPSA Omnibus Survey #2025-026, fielded April 9-15, 2025, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.