aggression

Question 1

What is the name of the region of the brain that is linked to aggression

Answer 1

LIMBIC

Question 2

Name 3 structures in this region

Answer 2

thalamus, amygdala, hippocampus

Question 3

What is the most important structure in the region

Answer 3

Amygdala

Question 4

Outline the link between this structure & aggression

Answer 4

reactivity of the amygdala in humans/animals is suggested to be an important predictor of aggressive behaviour

Question 5

What happens if the limbic system is damaged/malfunctions?

Answer 5

raised levels of testosterone, making aggressive behaviour more likely

Question 6

What was the finding of Gospic et al study (ultimatum game)?

Answer 6

Ppts had heightened increased activity in amygdala when provoked by ‘unfair’ offers

Question 7

What happened when the researchers in Gospic et al’s game gave ppts benzodiazepine?

Answer 7

Reduced aggression (activity of amygdala).

Question 8

What is the name of the NT linked to aggression

Answer 8

Serotonin

Question 9

Are low or high levels of serotonin linked to aggression?

Answer 9

LOW

Question 10

Outline the structure in the brain that this affects?

Answer 10

Orbito frontal cortex (OFC)

Question 11

What is the role of serotonin?

Answer 11

has an inhibitory effect on the brain, (slows downneurological functioning) Normal levels of serotonin =greater degree of behavioral control (self-control).

Question 12

What is aggression?

Answer 12

Behaviour that leads to self-assertion, angry & destructive behaviour causing injury. An act carried out with the intention of harming another.

Question 13

What is pro active aggression?

Answer 13

cold blooded, a planned method of getting what you want

Question 14

What is reactive aggression?

Answer 14

hot- blooded” angry and impulsive, accompanied by physiological arousal.

Question 15

Why is the amygdala a key structure for humans?

Answer 15

The Amygdala is a key structure for humans and non-humans in terms of assessing and responding to threats in the environment.

Question 16

Describe the gospic et al (2011) study

Answer 16

2 players are asked to divide a given amount of money: the confederate must decide how this money should be divided, while the responder (participant) may accept or reject 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 responders (the participants) had an FMRI scan.
When responders (p’s) rejected unfair offers (an aggressive reaction to social provocation) fast and heightened response in amygdala reactivity was recorded.
Implicating this region of the brain as involved in aggression.

Question 17

What effect does serotonin have on the brain?

Answer 17

Serotonin has an inhibitory effect on the brain, (slows down and dampens neurological functioning)
Normal levels of serotonin in the orbitofrontal cortex are linked to reduced firing of neurons and this is associated with a greater degree of behavioural control (self-control).

Question 18

Name a study that provides evidence for serotonins effect on aggression.

Answer 18

Virkkunen et al., (1994)

Question 19

Describe Virkkunen et al., (1994) study on serotonin

Answer 19

Compared levels of a 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 more sleep irregularities).
serotonin regulates sleep patterns.
Disturbance of this pattern strongly implies some disruption of serotonin functioning

Question 20

Name a study that provides evidence for serotonins effect on aggression.

Answer 20

Dolan et al 2012

Question 21

Describe Dolan et al 2012 study on serotonin

Answer 21

Found a positive correlation between testosterone levels and aggressive behaviours
Sample of 60 males (high security prison)
These males suffered from personality disorders & had history of impulsive violent behaviour