Aggression: Brain Functioning - Evaluation

Question 1

C > Gender bias?

Answer 1

Low levels of serotonin and high levels of aggression was only evidence in males, therefore research might not be generalisable to women.

Question 2

C > Is research support generalisable?

Answer 2

Popova’s participants were dogs, therefore we question the generalisability for humans. A more generalisable animal would be a primate.

Question 3

C > Is research support valid?

Answer 3

Mann assessed aggression using questionnaires, which limits validity due to social desirability bias and that the definition of aggression differs from person to person.

Question 4

D > Alternative theories of aggression?

Answer 4

Social learning theory suggests that learning occurs as a result of observation and imitation. It also considers the role of the environment.

Question 5

A > Is there practical application?

Answer 5

If there is a link between neurotransmission and aggression, we can use drugs to reduce aggression, therefore demonstrating how understanding the importance of dopamine and serotonin can help reduce aggression.

Question 6

+ > Reductionist?

Answer 6

The links between neurotransmitters and aggression are reductionist as they are insufficient on their own in explaining the complexity of human aggression. This explanation ignores the role of the environment.