[A] Hormonal factors

Question 1

What have been shown to play a part in aggression?

Answer 1

Androgens, male hormones such as testosterone.

Question 2

What did Berman et al find?

Answer 2

A level of shock given to an increasingly provocative competitor was recorded as a measure of aggression, those who rated higher on aggression had more salivary testosterone.

Question 3

What did studies on mice find?

Answer 3

Mice who are castrated show less aggression, however normal levels of aggression are restored if testosterone is administered intravenously.

Question 4

What did Eisenegger et al find?

Answer 4

Injected participants with either a placebo or testosterone, and found that those who were injected with testosterone were fairer in a negotiation game.

Question 5

Evaluate hormonal factors in aggression.

Answer 5

1. Supporting research from lots of studies.
2. Animal research is not generalisable.
3. Hormones can promote pro-social behaviour.
4. Hormones as a sole cause is reductionist.
5. No female research.