Aggression

Question 1

Outline Passamonti’s research into the role of serotonin in aggression.

What is the name of food that is needed by the body to produce serotonin?

Answer 1

• Tryptophan is needed by the body to produce serotonin.
• Passamonti used acute tryptophan depletion to reduce amount of serotonin in the brains of experimental group.
• The researcher used FMRI to measure the brain’s response to seeing angry faces.
• The results showed reduced communications between the amygdala and the frontal cortex when deprived on serotonin.

These suggests the lack of serotonin reduces the frontal cortex ability to control aggressive impulses in the amygdala.

Question 2

What are the strengths of Passamonti’s research?

Answer 2

• The research used a randomised, double blind placebo controlled method and the data was analysed using FMRI readings.
• The use of such careful scientific suggests that the findings on aggression from this study has high validity.