Aggression And The Brain

Question 1

Role of the limbic system

Answer 1

Consists of many structures such as the amygdala.
Amygdala is inviolved in how an organism would respond to the environment
High activities of this linked with aggression

Emil coccaro et al (2007)= IED ppts ( symptoms of anger, hot bloodedness) showed high levels of amygdala activity than ppts with NON-IED.

Question 2

Role of the prefrontal cortex

Answer 2

Prefront fortex contains an ofc , which is involved in self control, decision making, rational thinking, inhibition of aggressive behaviours.

Patients with psychiatric conditions that involve aggression, showed low levels of activity in the OFC - coccaro et al (2007)

Question 3

Role of seratonin

Answer 3

Seratonin is a neutransmitter that decreases the levels of neuronal activity.
High levels of seratonin is associated with higher levels of control and rational thinking
Decreased levels associated with low levels of control ،impulsivity and aggression (Denson et al 2012)

Question 4

Role of dopamine

Answer 4

Dopamine is involved in regulating motoivates behaviours and giving sense of reward
Works with seratonin.

When seratonin has an under activity ( hypofunction) this stinulates a dopamine overactvituty (hyper function)