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AS PSYCHOLOGY P2 > AGGRESSION > Flashcards

AGGRESSION Flashcards

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1
Q

Define aggression

A

Psychological or physiological expression of anguish or anger showing in forms of antisocial behaviour

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2
Q

Define hostile aggression

A

driven by anger

could be physical or verbal behaviour intended to hurt someone

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3
Q

Define instrumental agression

A

a means to end could be self defence

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4
Q

What ‘emotion’ neurotransmitters are linked to the prefrontal cortex?

A

Dopamine
Serotonin
Norapinephrine

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5
Q

How does the size of the prefrontal cortex link to aggression

A

Smaller or damaged prefrontal cortex have less control over emotions and behaviour

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6
Q

Outline Volkow’s (1995) link to the prefrontal cortex

A

Violent psychiatric patients
had a reduced cerebral blood flow
to the prefrontal cortex

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7
Q

Outline Anderson’s (1999) link to the prefrontal cortex

A

Damage in infancy to the prefrontal cortex

Related to aggressive behaviour as adults

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8
Q

Outline Heinz’s (2011) link to the prefrontal cortex

A

Looked at environmental factors that reduce prefrontal cortex activity
eg. stress genetics ALCOHOL
alcohol further reduces activity of prefrontal cortex
Inducing agression

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9
Q

Outline Raine’s (1997) link to the prefrontal cortex

A

murderers had a lower glucose metabolism
in some areas of the prefrontal cortex
inducing agression

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10
Q

What does the limbic system influence?

A 
Emotion
Eating
Sexual behaviour
Agression
Flight/Fight response
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11
Q

What are the three key aspects of the limbic system?

A

hypothalamus
amygdala
hippocampus

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12
Q

What is the hypothalamus responsible for?

A

Heat regulation
Sexual function
Pain
Emotion

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13
Q

How does the hypothalamus link to aggression

A

Produces testosterone which is the main anger hormone

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14
Q

How does the amygdala link to aggression?

A

Centre for emotions behaviour and motivation
Gives us instinctive feelings
High activity leads to more aggression

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15
Q

What is the hippocampus responsible for?

A

Converts short term memories into long term memroeis

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16
Q

How does the hippocampus link to aggression?

A

Aids in identifying situations which have lead/may lead to agression to trigger a similar response

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17
Q

Outline Kulver-Bucy Syndrome’s link to the limbic system

A

Part of the temporal lobe (and amygdala) removed

Rhesus monkeys became tamed

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18
Q

Outline Narabyashi’s (1972) link to the limbic system

A

43/51 patients without amygdala

Showed reduced agression

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19
Q

Outline Mark and Ervin’s (1970) link to the limbic system

A

Case study

Amygdala stimulation lead to; grimacing, anger and even a participant flinging themselves into a wall

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20
Q

Outline Ashford’s (1980) link to the limbic system

A

Epilepsy located in the temporal love linked to aggressive behaviour

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21
Q

Outline Swantje et al’s (2012) link to the limbic system

A

20 right handed women take an aggression questionnaire
Correlation between amygdala size and score on aggression test
Small amygdala links to more aggressive

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22
Q

Outline 3 strengths of the brain link to aggression

A

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)

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23
Q

Outline 3 weaknesses of the brain link to aggression

A

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)

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24
Q

Define hormone

A

Chemical messengers carried in the blood that transport information all around the body in a more prolonged manner than neurotransmitters

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25
Q

Name 4 functions of a hormone

A 
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
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26
Q

What is the endocrine system?

A

A series of glands that produce hormones

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27
Q

What parts of the brain control growth hormone and cortisol production

A

Pineal gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland

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28
Q

What parts of the body produce testosterone?

A

Testes
(ovaries)
Hypothalamus

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29
Q

How can hormones be used as medication

A

Hormone replacement therapy; prevent menopausal symptoms

Insulin; treats diabetes

Steroids; helps immune system

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30
Q

How do hormones work?

A

Hormones bind to receptor proteins
Altering cell function
Which affects our behaviour
Depending on when its released and when/where its received

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31
Q

How does testosterone play a role in aggression?

A

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

32
Q

Outline Dabb’s (1995) link between males and agrression

A

Measured testosterone in saliva of 692 male prisoners

Higher levels in rapists and violent offenders than burglars and thieves

33
Q

Outline Dabb’s (1988) link between females and aggression

A

Female prisoners testosterone levels

Highest in women when they’d been arrested for unprovoked violence

Lowest in defensive (eg domestic abuse cases)

34
Q

What other hormones are linked to aggression

A 
Thyroxine (homeostasis and tissue function)
Serotonin (mood and sleep)
Epinephrine (stress and breathing)
FSH (reproduction)
nGH (growth and development)
35
Q

Outline Beeman’s (1947) link between males and aggression

A

Castrated male mice = reduced aggression

Injected castrated male mice with testosterone
Re-established aggression

36
Q

Define the reciprocal model

A

Testosterone is an effect of aggression not the cause

37
Q

Outline Robert Saplosky’s research on aggression and testosterone

A

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

38
Q

Compare neurotransmitters and hormones

A

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

39
Q

Outline 3 strengths of the hormone link to aggression

A

evidence;
dabbs, beeman

Research into males and females

Correlation occurs

Lack of testosterone leads to lack of aggression and vice versa

40
Q

Outline 3 weaknesses of the hormone link to aggression

A

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

41
Q

Define evolution

A

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

42
Q

Define natural selection

A

“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

43
Q

Define sexual selection

A

Those better at attracting mates
Out reproduce others in the population
So stronger alleles are passed on

44
Q

In the evolutionary theory of aggression; what are the three main causes for aggression?

A

Infidelity/Jealousy (Sexual selection)
Limited Resources
To be seen as stronger

45
Q

Outline how aggression can deter mates from infidelity

A

Against opposite-sex members
To maintain fidelity of desired long-term mates
Ensuring paternity

eg wife battering

46
Q

Outline the supporting evidence for how aggression can deter mates from infidelity

A

Miller (1980) 55% of battered wives cited jealousy as reason of husband’s behaviour
Dobash & Dobash (1984) same as above

47
Q

Outline how aggression can allow gain of territory and resources

A

Aggression to show dominance and power
Intimidates others

eg children bullying others for money or toys
or adults mugging and warfare

48
Q

Outline how aggression can help defend against attack

A 
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

49
Q

Outline how aggression can help negotiate status and power hierarchies

A

Aggression allows gain of prestige
Dominance amongst same sex members

eg gang violence to prove oneself
women more attracted to dominant and powerful men

50
Q

Outline the supporting evidence for how aggression can deter mates from infidelity

A

Daly and Wilson (1985) murders in detroit in 1972 - motive behind most was status

51
Q

Outline how aggression can deter rivals from future aggression

A

Maintains dominance
Intimidates others and envokes fear

eg making threatening gestures
maintaining an aggressive appearance

52
Q

Outline how aggression can inflict cost on same sex rivals

A

Between same sex members
Aid in competition for resources and mates

eg men fighting over women

53
Q

Outline supporting evidence for how aggression can inflict cost on same sex rivals

A

Daly and Wilson (1985) 58 cases of murder motivated by sexual jealousy as a warning to potential rivals

54
Q

Outline 3 strengths of the evolutionary theory of aggression

A

Lots of supporting evidence
real life examples
Evidence across biological science (kettelwell moths)
Scientific - theory is repeatedly tested

55
Q

Outline 3 weaknesses of the evolutionary theory of aggression

A

Reductionist views

Not falsifiable (difficult to test)

Socially sensitive (eg religion/creationism)

In depth explanations

56
Q

Define the environment of evolutionary adaption

A

the environment to which a species has adapted a trait for in order to survive

57
Q

Outline the key assumptions of the psychodynamic perspective

A

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

58
Q

What are the two aspects of the libido/instinctual drives

A

Eros and thanatos

59
Q

Define eros

A

Life instinct

Preservation and enjoyment of life

60
Q

Define thanatos

A

Death instinct

Most commonly directed out toward others as aggression

61
Q

Define catharsis

A

The means to satisfy our urges without resorting to violence

eg violent games, violent sport, verbal aggression

62
Q

What are the three parts of the mind according to the psychodynamic perspective

A

Conscious
Preconscious
Unconscious

63
Q

Define conscious

A

Thoughts, ideas, emotions and other aspects of thinking which the individual is aware of

64
Q

Define preconscious

A

Holds thoughts and ideas that can be accessed and ready to be known about but are not actually conscious at the time

65
Q

Define unconscious

A

where thoughts originate some of which are transferred directly to the conscious others move to the conscious and some remain in the unconscious

66
Q

What are three aspects of personality in the psychodynamic perspective

A

ID
Ego
Superego

67
Q

Define ID

A 
Instinctual aspect
Demands immediate satisfaction
Operates on pleasure principle
Doesn't care about reality
Only instinct at birth
68
Q

Define ego

A

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

69
Q

Define superego

A

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

70
Q

Define defence mechanism

A

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

71
Q

Define displacement

A

choosing a substitute object for the expression of your feelings because they cant be expressed toward the real target

72
Q

Define sublimation

A

a form of displacement is employed where a substitute which is more socially acceptable

73
Q

Outline the case of Anna-O (Breurer & Freud)

A

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

74
Q

Outline 3 strengths of the psychodynamic perspective (CARD NEEDS COMPLETION)

A

Measurable - similar findings amongst different participants

Useful - Identifying thoughts in the unconscious may reduce aggression

75
Q

Outline 3 weaknesses of the psychodynamic perspective

A

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

AS PSYCHOLOGY P2 (4 decks)

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