Aggression

Question 1

Definition of aggression

Answer 1

Behavior that leads to self assertion, angry and destructive behavior causing injury. An act carried out with the intention of harming another person

Question 2

Define proactive aggression

Answer 2

-Cold blooded
-A planned method of getting what you want

Question 3

Define reactive aggression

Answer 3

-Hot blooded
-Angry and impulsive, accompanied by physiological arousal

Question 4

Outline the role of the amygdala in aggression

Answer 4

-Most important structure in terms of aggression
-The amygdala is a key structure for humans and non-humans in terms of assessing and responding to threats in an environment
-The reactivity of the amygdala in humans has proven to be an important predictor of aggressive behavior
-Additionally, if the limbic system malfunctions/becomes damaged, this can raise levels of testosterone, making aggressive behavior more likely

Question 5

AO1
Evidence for limbic system

Answer 5

-Ultimate game, lab experiment
-Gospic et al
-2 players are asked to divide a given amount of money, the confederate must decide how this money should be divided, while the responder (ppt) may reject or accept the offer
-If the responder accepts the offer, both players receive money
-If the responder rejects, neither of them gets anything
-At the same time, the responders (ppt) had an FMRI scan
-When the responder rejected the unfair offers (an aggressive reaction to social provocation) there was fast and heightened response in the amygdala recorded
-Ppts were given benzodiazepine (drug which reduces arousal in the CNS) before the game
-It halved the number of rejections to ‘unfair offers’ (reduced aggression) and decreased the activity in the amygdala
-THEREFORE SHOWING AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN REACTIVE AGGRESSION AND AMYGDALA ACTIVITY

Question 6

Outline the role of serotonin in aggression

Answer 6

-Serotonin has an inhibitory effect on the brain (slows down and dampens neurological functioning)
-Normal levels of serotonin the orbitofrontal cortex are linked to reduced firing of neurons and this is associated with a greater degree of self control
-Decreased levels of serotonin may disturb the mechanisms in OFC
-Reducing self control and leading to an increase in impulsive behavior such as aggression

Question 7

AO1
Evidence for serotonin affecting aggression

Answer 7

-Virkkunen et al (1994)
-Compared levels of serotonin breakdown product (metabolite called 5-HIAA) in the cerebrospinal fluid of violent impulsive and violent non-impulsive offenders
-The levels were significantly lower in the impulsive offenders (also suffered sleep irregularities)
-Serotonin regulates sleep patterns
-Disturbance of this pattern strongly implies some disruption of serotonin functioning
-Further supporting the role of serotonin in reactive aggression

Question 8

Outline the role of testosterone in aggression

Answer 8

-Male sex hormone and androgen responsible for the development of masculine features
-It also has a role in regulating social behaviors via its influence on certain areas in the brain implicated in aggression
-There is lots of documented evidence of testosterone being increased in various species which has resulted in increased aggression. lower test lowers aggressive behaviours

Question 9

AO1
Testosterone on aggression study

Answer 9

-Dolan et al 2012
-Studies of prison populations
-Found a positive correlation between testosterone levels and aggressive behaviours
-Sample of 60 males (high security prison)
-These males suffered from personality disorders and had history of impulsive violent behaviour