AGGRESSION Flashcards
Define aggression
Psychological or physiological expression of anguish or anger showing in forms of antisocial behaviour
Define hostile aggression
driven by anger
could be physical or verbal behaviour intended to hurt someone
Define instrumental agression
a means to end could be self defence
What ‘emotion’ neurotransmitters are linked to the prefrontal cortex?
Dopamine
Serotonin
Norapinephrine
How does the size of the prefrontal cortex link to aggression
Smaller or damaged prefrontal cortex have less control over emotions and behaviour
Outline Volkow’s (1995) link to the prefrontal cortex
Violent psychiatric patients
had a reduced cerebral blood flow
to the prefrontal cortex
Outline Anderson’s (1999) link to the prefrontal cortex
Damage in infancy to the prefrontal cortex
Related to aggressive behaviour as adults
Outline Heinz’s (2011) link to the prefrontal cortex
Looked at environmental factors that reduce prefrontal cortex activity
eg. stress genetics ALCOHOL
alcohol further reduces activity of prefrontal cortex
Inducing agression
Outline Raine’s (1997) link to the prefrontal cortex
murderers had a lower glucose metabolism
in some areas of the prefrontal cortex
inducing agression
What does the limbic system influence?
Emotion Eating Sexual behaviour Agression Flight/Fight response
What are the three key aspects of the limbic system?
hypothalamus
amygdala
hippocampus
What is the hypothalamus responsible for?
Heat regulation
Sexual function
Pain
Emotion
How does the hypothalamus link to aggression
Produces testosterone which is the main anger hormone
How does the amygdala link to aggression?
Centre for emotions behaviour and motivation
Gives us instinctive feelings
High activity leads to more aggression
What is the hippocampus responsible for?
Converts short term memories into long term memroeis
How does the hippocampus link to aggression?
Aids in identifying situations which have lead/may lead to agression to trigger a similar response
Outline Kulver-Bucy Syndrome’s link to the limbic system
Part of the temporal lobe (and amygdala) removed
Rhesus monkeys became tamed
Outline Narabyashi’s (1972) link to the limbic system
43/51 patients without amygdala
Showed reduced agression
Outline Mark and Ervin’s (1970) link to the limbic system
Case study
Amygdala stimulation lead to; grimacing, anger and even a participant flinging themselves into a wall
Outline Ashford’s (1980) link to the limbic system
Epilepsy located in the temporal love linked to aggressive behaviour
Outline Swantje et al’s (2012) link to the limbic system
20 right handed women take an aggression questionnaire
Correlation between amygdala size and score on aggression test
Small amygdala links to more aggressive
Outline 3 strengths of the brain link to aggression
Lack of experimentor bias and scientic research (swantje) with MRI scan
Lots of supporting evidence;
Swantje, raine, kluver-bucy, heinz etc.
Mundane realism of case studies
Hypothalamus produces testosterone which we known links to aggression so it’s plausible
RHW control as different hemisphere control different body sides (swantje)
Outline 3 weaknesses of the brain link to aggression
Animals are quantitatively different to humans (Kulver bucy)
Self report lowers accuracy as some people may lie about their agression levels (Swantje)
Correlation doesnt equal causation (swantje)
Case studies cannot be generalised (mark + ervin)
Right handed women only/murders cannot be generalised (swantje/raine)
Define hormone
Chemical messengers carried in the blood that transport information all around the body in a more prolonged manner than neurotransmitters
Name 4 functions of a hormone
Regulating temperature Regulating breathing Role in tissue function Role in reproduction Regulating metabolic rate Regulating sleep/wake cycle Role in growth and development Regulating stress Role in mood
What is the endocrine system?
A series of glands that produce hormones
What parts of the brain control growth hormone and cortisol production
Pineal gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland
What parts of the body produce testosterone?
Testes
(ovaries)
Hypothalamus
How can hormones be used as medication
Hormone replacement therapy; prevent menopausal symptoms
Insulin; treats diabetes
Steroids; helps immune system
How do hormones work?
Hormones bind to receptor proteins
Altering cell function
Which affects our behaviour
Depending on when its released and when/where its received
How does testosterone play a role in aggression?
Androgen - develops male characteristics
Present in all humans but higher in males
Creating spatial ability and competitive aggression
Cell growth in the hypothalamus and amygdala
Outline Dabb’s (1995) link between males and agrression
Measured testosterone in saliva of 692 male prisoners
Higher levels in rapists and violent offenders than burglars and thieves
Outline Dabb’s (1988) link between females and aggression
Female prisoners testosterone levels
Highest in women when they’d been arrested for unprovoked violence
Lowest in defensive (eg domestic abuse cases)
What other hormones are linked to aggression
Thyroxine (homeostasis and tissue function) Serotonin (mood and sleep) Epinephrine (stress and breathing) FSH (reproduction) nGH (growth and development)
Outline Beeman’s (1947) link between males and aggression
Castrated male mice = reduced aggression
Injected castrated male mice with testosterone
Re-established aggression
Define the reciprocal model
Testosterone is an effect of aggression not the cause
Outline Robert Saplosky’s research on aggression and testosterone
Dominant or aggressive males get the most food, mates etc.
When a beta chimp is flooded with testosterone he becomes more aggressive
But only to omega chimps not alpha chimps
Compare neurotransmitters and hormones
Hormones act more slowly than neurotransmitters
Hormones act in the blood while neurotransmitters act in the brain
Both control our mood
Both are chemicals
Both have links to aggression
Outline 3 strengths of the hormone link to aggression
evidence;
dabbs, beeman
Research into males and females
Correlation occurs
Lack of testosterone leads to lack of aggression and vice versa
Outline 3 weaknesses of the hormone link to aggression
Animals are quantitatively different to humans (Kulver bucy)
Raised testosterone may be an effect of aggression (reciprocal model)
Correlation doesnt equal causation
Doesn’t account for other hormones
Women have naturally low levels of testosterone so its hard to measure
Define evolution
A gradual change in a species
Due to genes passed from generation to generation
And mutations
Creating variation
Beneficial variations lead to more chance of the gene being passed to offspring
Define natural selection
“survival of the fittest”
A wide range in variation due to genes in a species
Characteristics most suited to the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce
Passing their successful genes to their offspring
Define sexual selection
Those better at attracting mates
Out reproduce others in the population
So stronger alleles are passed on
In the evolutionary theory of aggression; what are the three main causes for aggression?
Infidelity/Jealousy (Sexual selection)
Limited Resources
To be seen as stronger
Outline how aggression can deter mates from infidelity
Against opposite-sex members
To maintain fidelity of desired long-term mates
Ensuring paternity
eg wife battering
Outline the supporting evidence for how aggression can deter mates from infidelity
Miller (1980) 55% of battered wives cited jealousy as reason of husband’s behaviour
Dobash & Dobash (1984) same as above
Outline how aggression can allow gain of territory and resources
Aggression to show dominance and power
Intimidates others
eg children bullying others for money or toys
or adults mugging and warfare
Outline how aggression can help defend against attack
Preventing loss of resources Maintaining status (for reproductive fitness) Aggression shows dominance and deters others
eg sticking up for yourself
protecting your partner and child
Outline how aggression can help negotiate status and power hierarchies
Aggression allows gain of prestige
Dominance amongst same sex members
eg gang violence to prove oneself
women more attracted to dominant and powerful men
Outline the supporting evidence for how aggression can deter mates from infidelity
Daly and Wilson (1985) murders in detroit in 1972 - motive behind most was status
Outline how aggression can deter rivals from future aggression
Maintains dominance
Intimidates others and envokes fear
eg making threatening gestures
maintaining an aggressive appearance
Outline how aggression can inflict cost on same sex rivals
Between same sex members
Aid in competition for resources and mates
eg men fighting over women
Outline supporting evidence for how aggression can inflict cost on same sex rivals
Daly and Wilson (1985) 58 cases of murder motivated by sexual jealousy as a warning to potential rivals
Outline 3 strengths of the evolutionary theory of aggression
Lots of supporting evidence
real life examples
Evidence across biological science (kettelwell moths)
Scientific - theory is repeatedly tested
Outline 3 weaknesses of the evolutionary theory of aggression
Reductionist views
Not falsifiable (difficult to test)
Socially sensitive (eg religion/creationism)
In depth explanations
Define the environment of evolutionary adaption
the environment to which a species has adapted a trait for in order to survive
Outline the key assumptions of the psychodynamic perspective
We all have an unconscious mind that exerts a powerful force in our lives
Behaviours are determined by our past experiences stored in the unconscious mind
We are engaged in a constant struggle with our feelings and behaviour
What are the two aspects of the libido/instinctual drives
Eros and thanatos
Define eros
Life instinct
Preservation and enjoyment of life
Define thanatos
Death instinct
Most commonly directed out toward others as aggression
Define catharsis
The means to satisfy our urges without resorting to violence
eg violent games, violent sport, verbal aggression
What are the three parts of the mind according to the psychodynamic perspective
Conscious
Preconscious
Unconscious
Define conscious
Thoughts, ideas, emotions and other aspects of thinking which the individual is aware of
Define preconscious
Holds thoughts and ideas that can be accessed and ready to be known about but are not actually conscious at the time
Define unconscious
where thoughts originate some of which are transferred directly to the conscious others move to the conscious and some remain in the unconscious
What are three aspects of personality in the psychodynamic perspective
ID
Ego
Superego
Define ID
Instinctual aspect Demands immediate satisfaction Operates on pleasure principle Doesn't care about reality Only instinct at birth
Define ego
Logical aspect
Operates on reality principle
Makes conscious and rational decisions
Reflecting demands of ID and the morality of the superego and the reality of the external environment
Define superego
Moral aspect
Develops due to moral and ethical restraints parents place on us as children
Dictates our beliefs of what is right and what is wrong
Define defence mechanism
Something your mind does to protect you from feeling bad
Changing the way you’re acting to meet the demands of the ID but keeping the superego happy
Define displacement
choosing a substitute object for the expression of your feelings because they cant be expressed toward the real target
Define sublimation
a form of displacement is employed where a substitute which is more socially acceptable
Outline the case of Anna-O (Breurer & Freud)
Case study of 21 year old woman who became bedridden after dictating her life to caring for her sick father
As soon as she remembered an incident of listening to her parents have sex as a child her deafness was cured and never returned
This rang true for other events of her memory
Outline 3 strengths of the psychodynamic perspective (CARD NEEDS COMPLETION)
Measurable - similar findings amongst different participants
Useful - Identifying thoughts in the unconscious may reduce aggression
Outline 3 weaknesses of the psychodynamic perspective
Not scientific - free association therefor not standardised
Not generalisable - middle aged neurotic women/case studies
Subjective - down to interpretation
Not measurable - cannot measure unconsciousness
Doesn’t account for individual differences (eg Bushman (2002)
Reductionist
Determinist
