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Psychology - RMC - Aggression > 1 - Neural + Hormonal Mechanisms In Aggression > Flashcards

1 - Neural + Hormonal Mechanisms In Aggression Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the 3 main neural + hormonal factors that must be learnt?

A

1) Limbic system
2) Serotonin
3) Testosterone

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2
Q

Define aggression

A

An act carried out with the intention to harm another person physically or psychologically

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3
Q

What is hostile aggression?

A

‘Affective aggression’ - driven by anger + emotion (e.g. murder)

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4
Q

What is instrumental aggression?

A

‘Pre-meditated aggression’ - calmer, more emotionally detached aggression (e.g. in sport)

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5
Q

What are the 2 neural factors related to aggression?

A

1) Limbic system

2) Serotonin

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6
Q

What is the limbic system?

A

A subcortical structure in the brain, thought to be involved with the regulation of primitive functions, including emotions + aggressive

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7
Q

List the components that make up the limbic system

A
  • Cingulate gyrus
  • Septal area
  • Hypothalamus
  • Fornix
  • Amygdala
  • Parts of hippocampus + thalamus
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8
Q

What is the main part of the limbic system we look at in relation to aggression?

A

Amygdala

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9
Q

Which 2 people linked the limbic system to emotional behaviours including aggression?

A

Papez + Maclean

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10
Q

What is the role of the amygdala?

A

Responds to threats + challenges in the environment

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11
Q

How does the limbic system impact aggression?

A

The more reactive the amygdala (part of the limbic system), the more aggressive a person is

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12
Q

Name + outline the research done to support the role of the limbic system (amygdala) in aggression?

A

Gospic et al

  • Ultimatum Game
  • Ppts’ brain activity scanned using an fMRI
  • fMRI showed a fast, heightened reaction in the amygdala when ppts given an unfair offer (provoked) + respond aggressively by rejecting it
  • When given benzodiazepine drugs (reduce amygdala activity) rate of rejection dropped (less aggressive)
  • Supports role of amygdala in aggression
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13
Q

What is serotonin?

A

A neurotransmitter with widespread inhibitory effects throughout the brain

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14
Q

What does it mean for a neurotransmitter to have ‘inhibitory effects’?

A

Neurones fire less

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15
Q

How do normal serotonin levels lead to behavioural self-control?

A

Normal serotonin levels -> Inhibitory effects in the orbitofrontal cortex -> Good self-control

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16
Q

How does serotonin impact aggression?

A

Low levels of serotonin lead to more aggressive + impulsive behaviour

17
Q

How does low serotonin lead to more aggression?

A

Decreased serotonin disrupts the inhibitory effects in the orbitofrontal cortex -> less behavioural self-control -> more aggressive, impulsive behaviour

18
Q

Name + outline the research done to support the role of serotonin in aggression?

A

Berman et al

  • Lab study
  • Group 1: given SSRI paroxetine (higher serotonin)
  • Group 2: given placebo (lower serotonin)
  • Groups provoked + able to shock each other
  • Group 1 gave fewer, less intense shocks (high serotonin - less aggressive)
19
Q

Give 3 evaluation points for the role of neural mechanisms in aggression

A

GOOD
Drugs (SSRIs) support
- Berman’s research using SSRIs supports role of serotonin
- Using SSRIs has a practical application as a cheap + effective treatment for high aggression

BAD
Other brain structures may also be important
- Limbic system isn’t only important brain structure
- Orbitofrontal cortex is also involved in impulse regulation + inhibiting aggression
- Coccaro et al found less activity here led to greater aggression
- So, the neural explanation may be too simplistic currently

Deterministic

  • Suggests aggression is pre-determined by neural factors
  • Pessimistic view + acts as an alibi for aggressive crimes (negative implications for the legal system)
20
Q

What is the main hormonal factor we learn in relation to aggression?

A

Testosterone

21
Q

What is the extra hormonal factor that we learn in relation to aggression?

A

Progesterone

22
Q

What is testosterone?

A

A hormone from the androgen group produced 10-40x more in men (in testes) than in women (in ovaries)

23
Q

How does testosterone impact aggression?

A

High testosterone leads to high aggression

24
Q

Name + outline the human research done to support the role of testosterone in aggression?

A

Dolan et al

  • Correlational study
  • Looked at 60 male offenders + their testosterone levels
  • Found positive correlation between testosterone + aggression
25
Q

Name + outline the animal research done to support the role of testosterone in aggression?

A

Wagner

  • Lab
  • Castrated mice (stopping testosterone production)
  • Castrated mice were less aggressive (less biting)
  • If testosterone was re-injected, aggression (biting) increased, showing cause + effect of the impact of testosterone on aggression
26
Q

What is progesterone?

A

Female ovarian hormone

27
Q

When is progesterone lowest?

A

During + just after menstruation

28
Q

How does progesterone impact aggression?

A

Low levels of progesterone lead to high aggression

29
Q

Does testosterone vary throughout the month?

A

No - some men just have higher testosterone

30
Q

Does progesterone vary throughout the month?

A

Yes - varies in relation to the menstrual cycle

31
Q

Name + outline the research done to support the role of progesterone in aggression?

A

Ziomkiewicz et al

  • Self report data on levels of aggression across menstrual cycle
  • Found negative correlation between levels of progesterone + aggressive behaviour
32
Q

Give 3 evaluation points for the hormonal mechanisms in aggression

A

GOOD
Animal research support
- Research support from multiple animal studies on role of hormones
- E.g. Wagner (mice - testosterone) + Giammanco (meta analysis)
- BUT: Issues - may be unethical (no consent + potentially harmful)

BAD
Alternative theory
- Dual hormone hypothesis
- Carre + Mehta said high testosterone only leads to aggression if cortisol levels are simultaneously low (because cortisol can block testosterone’s influence on aggression)
- Testosterone’s current role may be too simplistic, as cortisol must also be considered

Deterministic

  • Suggests aggression is pre-determine by hormonal factors
  • Pessimistic view + acts as an alibi for aggressive crimes (negative implications for the legal system)
33
Q

What is the dual hormone theory?

A

Idea that high testosterone only causes aggression if cortisol levels are low - because high cortisol has a blocking effect on testosterone

34
Q

What impact does cortisol have on testosterone?

A

A ‘blocking effect’ (blocking its ability to increase aggression)

Psychology - RMC - Aggression (4 decks)

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