Agression Flashcards
what is the limbic system
exists only in mammals, it regions emotional states and memory processes
made up of several structures
amygdala
hypothalamus
hippocampus
what is the role of the hypothalamus
responsible for the regulation of the autonomic nervous system which in turn regulates responses to emotional circumstances
if damaged this area can result in inappropriate aggressive responses to a perceived threat
what is the role of the hippocampus
involved in the LTM so allows mammals to to compare current threats with similar past experiences
impaired functioning can prevent things being seen in a meaningful context so can lead to aggressive behaviour
plays a role in memory, learning and emotion
what is the role of the amygdala
if removed from animals they loose there typical rage response
plays a role in aggression, eating, drinking and sexual behaviours
define hormones
are chemical messengers that are released into the bloodstream by a cell or gland in one part of the body that affects and sends messages to target cells in other parts of the body
what is testosterone
a hormone responsible for the development of masculine features
helps regulate social behaviour via influence on areas of the brain involved in aggression
males are more aggressive towards other males at 20+ years old when testosterone levels are peak
studies on testosterone studies are mainly carried out on animals
what are monozygotic twins
100% identical genes - 1 egg
what are dizygotic twins
sibling similarity only - 2 eggs
what is concordance rate
measured for aggressive and anti-social behaviour
Berkowitz:
87% for Mz twin sets
72% for Dz twin sets
explain monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA)
- breaks down excess neurotransmitters eg dopamine
- ppl that show aggression due to a low functioning MAOA gene that is unable to produce enough of the necessary enzyme
- MAOA-L genes are not always activated. they need a trigger from an environmental experience
explain adaptive in relation to ethological explanations
aggression is beneficial to survival to reduce comp and establish dominance
behavioural traits are passed down through genetics
explain ritualistic in relation to ethological explanations
a series of behaviours carried out in a set order as a display of strength or dominance without causing death
however fighting can cause death
there is a display of aggression but not actual violence eg beating chest gorilla
explain innate releasing mechanism (IRM) and fixed action pattern (FAP) in relation to ethological explanations
IRM: a neural network that when triggered by a specific sign stimulus communicates with motor control circuits to activate the fixed action patterns that is associated with that sign stimulus
FAP: an innate sequence of movements that cannot be altered once triggered
IRM is an inherited adaptive behaviour FAP has to run t completion
what is the frustration aggression hypothesis
Dollard suggested the greater the frustration the greater the aggression. suggesting a cause and effect relationship between the two
what are the 4 factors effecting the likelihood and target of the aggression
motivation
proximity
justified
displacement
how can motivation effect the likelihood and target of the aggression
aggression is an outcome of frustration which will be more likely if there are motivated to reach there goal
how can proximity effect the likelihood and target of the aggression
the nearer to a goal a person is before someone / something becomes and obstacle the goal the higher the frustration becomes and therefore the aggression
how can justified effect the likelihood and target of the aggression
eg bus not stopping that is full will lessen the aggression whereas a bus not stopping that has plenty of room will cause justified aggression
how can displacement effect the likelihood and target of aggression
something is not appropriate to respond aggressively to the source of the frustration
eg getting fired you displace your aggression on a friend / dog rather than boss as they are an easier target
