16m Plans

Question 1

Discuss the physiology of stress

Answer 1

AO1:
- GAS + stages
- SAM (short term stress)
- HPA (long term stress)
AO3:
- weakness: fight or flight is maladaptive for day-to-day
- strength: GAS is based on animal studies and observations of patients

Question 2

Discuss sources of stress. Include both life changes and daily hassles

Answer 2

AO1:
- Life changes
- Daily hassles
AO3:

Question 3

Outline and evaluate the role of neural/hormonal mechanisms in aggression

Answer 3

AO1:
- Limbic system: hippocampus and amygdala Neurotransmitter: serotonin
- Hormonal: testosterone
AO3:
- limitation: research evidence is inconsistent
-

Question 4

Outline and evaluate the ethological explanation of aggression

Answer 4

AO1:
- define ethological
- innate releasing mechanisms, fixed action pattern, ritualistic aggression + hydraulic model
AO3:
- strength: male Stickleback fish react to less realistic stimuli, red belly is what triggers IRM (indiscriminate)
- strength: isolated infant monkeys (supports innate aspect)
- weakness: aggression in humans not simply instinctual, premeditated crime

Question 5

Outline and evaluate evolutionary explanations of aggression

Answer 5

AO1:
- aggression is adaptive
- adaptations are fundamental and universal parts of human nature, influenced by what benefitted ancestors to pass their genes on (natural selection)
- sexual competition, sexual jealousy (cuckoldry), warfare
AO3 (weaknesses):
- biological determinism
- cannot account for extent of cruelty in conflict (genocide/mutilation)
- socialisation better explains gender difference