aggression Flashcards
What is the name of the region of the brain that is linked to aggression
LIMBIC
Name 3 structures in the LIMBIC region of the brain
thalamus, amygdala, hippocampus
What is the most important structure in the LIMBIC region
Amygdala
Outline the link between this structure & aggression
reactivity of the amygdala in humans/animals is suggested to be an important predictor of aggressive behaviour
What happens if the limbic system is damaged/malfunctions?
raised levels of testosterone, making aggressive behaviour more likely
What was the finding of Gospic et al study (ultimatum game)?
Ppts had heightened increased activity in amygdala when provoked by ‘unfair’ offers
What happened when the researchers in Gospic et al’s game gave ppts benzodiazepine?
Reduced aggression (activity of amygdala).
What is the name of the NT linked to aggression
Serotonin
Are low or high levels of serotonin linked to aggression?
LOW
Outline the structure in the brain that this affects?
Orbito frontal cortex (OFC)
What is the role of serotonin?
has an inhibitory effect on the brain, (slows downneurological functioning) Normal levels of serotonin =greater degree of behavioral control (self-control).
What is aggression?
Behaviour that leads to self-assertion, angry & destructive behaviour causing injury. An act carried out with the intention of harming another.
What is pro active aggression?
cold blooded, a planned method of getting what you want
What is reactive aggression?
hot- blooded” angry and impulsive, accompanied by physiological arousal.
Why is the amygdala a key structure for humans?
The Amygdala is a key structure for humans and non-humans in terms of assessing and responding to threats in the environment.
Describe the gospic et al (2011) study
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.
What effect does serotonin have on the brain?
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).
Name a study that provides evidence for serotonins effect on aggression.
Virkkunen et al., (1994)
Describe Virkkunen et al., (1994) study on serotonin
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
Name a study that provides evidence for serotonins effect on aggression.
Dolan et al 2012
Describe Dolan et al 2012 study on serotonin
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
What is cognitive priming?
An explanation for aggression that suggests through constant exposure to violent media, people begin to prepare aggressive, scripted responses, which are ready to be enacted to a stimulus
What is deindividuation?
When a person acts and thinks like an individual in the presence of a group
What is desensitisation? (aggression)
A term used to describe people becoming used to seeing violence and aggression due to constant exposure through media, such as news or films. Thus, the threshold to be shocked at aggression is raised all the time.
What is disinhibition? (aggression)
Removing inhibitions from previously unacceptable behaviour. In aggression, this term serves to explain how via new norms introduced in the media, certain aggressions become acceptable
Dispositional explanation (aggression)
An explanation for institutional aggression that suggests that certain individuals are predisposed to being aggressive because of certain traits that individual has
Ethological explanation (aggression)
An explanation of aggression which suggests that it is a natural response. Its purpose could be understood if it were to be observed in nature. Upon observation, it suggests aggression is a useful tool to maintain survival by using it to obtain resources, and keep land.
Fixed action patterns
The second part of the exhibiting aggression. The behaviour that is released after the innate releasing mechanisms has been activated
Frustration-aggression hypothesis
The theory that every experience of frustration leads to build of aggression (which is unavoidable). This eventually leads to the need to relapse of aggression which results in aggressive behaviours.
Innate-aggression hypothesis
The first part of exhibiting aggression. The natural algorithm that exists to prepare a person to exhibit aggressive behaviour
Institutional aggression
Aggression that is exhibited by a group in an institute, for example prisoners
Limbic system
A group of structures in the brain that are involved with emotion and long-term memory
MAOA gene
An enzyme in humans that is said to be associated with certain aggressive behaviours
Serotonin (aggression)
A neurotransmitter that responsible for maintaining mood and well being
Situational explanation (aggression)
An explanation for institutional aggression that suggests it arises because of the environment and atmosphere in the situation
