Aggression Flashcards
Have scientists found an aggressive gene
No, research has been more focused on how the brain functions and what areas of the brain are involved in aggression.
What is one theory of aggression
A person can be aggressive because of their biological make up.
What two parts of the brain are linked to aggression, can you label them
Limbic system - upper section
Amygdala - lower section
What is the Limbic system
The emotional area of the brain, it is responsible for the emotions needed for survival, like fear and aggression.
What did people with emotional disorders sometimes have in common
Damage to the Limbic system.
What is the amygdala
A brain structure thought to be involved in aggression. It recognises emotional responses and produces aggression.
In animal studies what did removing their amygdala do?
Make the animals very calm whereas damage to the amygdala may cause increase levels of aggression
What did we learn from Charles Whitman who shot 13 people
He was convinced there was something wrong with his brain that made him more aggressive and left behind a suicide note to say he wanted them to do a brain autopsy on him. It showed that there was a tumour pressing against his amygdala. Suggesting that the amygdala might cause aggression.
Why is difficult to be able to tell if there is a direct link between the amygdala and the Limbic system and aggression.
We cannot damage human brains to see if it results in aggression because that would be unethical.
What are two strengths of the biological theory of aggression
Animal studies that have involved damage or removal of the amygdala offer evidence for its link with aggression.
Case study of David Whitman is evidence for the link with aggression.
What are two weaknesses of the biological theory
Studying the brain can be difficult and risky so there is no way of making sure areas of the brain are linked to aggression.
Animals and humans are different in many ways, so animal research suggesting a link between the brain and aggression may not be applicable to humans.
What are hormones
Chemicals produced by the human body that send signals to organs around the body via the blood stream.
What is the biological proof that makes are more aggressive than females
Boys produce more testosterone which Is a male sex organ. It is secreted by the adrenal glands and tested, it develops the male reproductive system and helps to produce make features.
Do mean and women both have testosterone
Yes but males produce 10x more
What proof is there that testosterone is linked to aggression
Animal research has shown that injecting testosterone increases levels of aggression whilst removing the testes decrease levels of aggression
Why can we not test testosterone levels in the same way as animals for humans
It is unethical
How can psychologists test humans testosterone
They can take blood from humans to see what level of testosterone they have and compare it to how aggressive they feel or act.
What have correlation studies found about the relationship between testosterone levels and questionnaire results
Between high testosterone levels and greater reported aggression on questionnaires
What is the issue with the link between aggression and testosterone
Not certain a whether testosterone causes increased aggression or if aggression causes increased testosterone.
What are 2 strengths of the theory of testosterone and aggression
In animals, there is a clear cause and effect relationship between testosterone and aggression.
Human studies show a relationship between aggression and testosterone in correlation studies.
What are 2 weaknesses of the theory of testosterone and aggression
If testosterone is the cause of aggressive behaviour, why are some women more violent than men and why aren’t all men aggressive?
This explanation of aggression completely ignores the huge impact of upbringing and social circumstances on our behaviour.
What is observational learning
The process of learning from watching others.
What is modelling
Observing, identifying with an copying the behaviour of a role model.
What is identification
A feeling of similarity with a role model that leads to the imitation of their behaviour - we believe we can be like them.