Aggression: Key Terms

Question 1

The Limbic System

Answer 1

an area of the brain that helps to coordinate behaviours that satisfy motivational and emotional urges

Question 2

2 Key Structures in Limbic System Associated with Aggression

Answer 2

1) amydala
2) hippocampus

Question 3

Role of Amydala in Aggression

Answer 3

• responsible for quickly evaluating emotional importance of sensory info + prompting appropriate response
• if certain areas of amygdala are stimulated electrically, an animal responds with aggression

Question 4

Role of Hippocampus in Aggression

Answer 4

• involved in formation of long term memories
• allows an animal to compare conditions of current threat with similar past experiences
• impaired hippocampul function prevents nervous system from putting things into relevant + meaningful context so may cause amygdala to respond inappropriately, resulting in aggressive behaviour

Question 5

Role of Testosterone in Aggression

Answer 5

• increased testosterone levels is related to increased amygdala reactivity which leads to aggressive behaviour

Question 6

Role of MAOA in Aggression

Answer 6

regulates metabolism of serotonin in the brain

Question 7

Difference between MAOA-H and MAOA-L

Answer 7

• MAOA-H is associated with high levels of MAOA and MAOA-L is associated with low levels
• those with MAOA-L variant more likely to grow up to exhibit anti-social behaviour but only if they had been maltreated as a child
• MAOA-L is more frequent in populations with a history of warfare