Aggression – Hormones

Question 1

Hormones AO1

4

Answer 1

Carry messages
Produced by the Endocrine Gland
Slower messages than neurons as it’s done through the bloodstreams
Affect growth and other processes such as mood and metabolism

Question 2

Testosterone

4

Answer 2

The hormone linked to aggression
Produced in spurts, meaning it can rise rapidly in certain situations
Can vary seasonally in some animals, why Red Deer become aggressive during the mating season
Males produce more than females

Question 3

SODA

Answer 3

S - Dabs & Hargrove (1997) measured testosterone levels in 87 female inmates of a max. security prison. Testosterone level positively correlates with degree of violence and aggressive dominance within the prison. Increased validity as this study has been done previously on males, this supports that but with women.

O - Many supporting studies are correlational. e.g. Elevated testosterone could be the REASON for more violence, doesn’t show cause & effect

D - Carre et al. (2011) states baseline testosterone levels are much less important in humans than animals. As testosterone levels fluctuate, measuring a baseline is very complex, and even if accurate this may not link with aggression (1 person could have a higher baseline but their levels rise less during an encounter)

A - Could be possible to manufacture a drug that can influence the hormonal mechanism and reduce aggression without side effects. There is a correlational link between testosterone levels and crimes, therefore anti-testosterone drugs could lower crime rates