BIOLOGCIAL individual differences and developmental factors

Question 1

what are the individual differences affecting aggression

Answer 1

• brain structure and functioning (prefrontal cortex)
• the limbic system (amygdala)

Question 2

why does the prefrontal cortex effect individual’s aggression (give an example)

Answer 2

low levels in prefrontal cortex = aggression - for example, Donta Page claiming NGRI found with misshapen frontal lobes

Question 3

what supporting evidence shows that the prefrontal cortex is an individual difference

Answer 3

Raine et al (1997) - differences in brain functioning between controls and NGRIs - less function in corpus collosum - objective evidence from PET scans

Question 4

BUT why is the evidence for the pre-frontal cortex a weakness

Answer 4

Raine’s research is correlational - may be other individual differences - environmental factors (imitating role models)

Question 5

how does the limbic system effect individual’s aggression

Answer 5

amygdala = identifies threats (fight or flight)
smaller amygdala = aggression

Question 6

what is the supporting evidence for how the amygdala affects individual differences

Answer 6

Swantje (2012) - negative correlations of amygdala using MRI scans - provides objective evidence

Question 7

BUT why is the evidence for the limbic system as individually difference a weakness

Answer 7

Freud argues that strong id and weak superego increase aggressive urges - suggests individual differences is due to personality

Question 8

what are the concluding arguments for how brain functioning is due to individual differences

Answer 8

+ lead to useful applications - knowledge of low activity helps identify and support individuals before committing acts
- only considering individual differences = understanding is limited - isolating ID - ignoring hormone levels/ upbringing

Question 9

what are the developmental factors

Answer 9

maturing brain, hormones and evolution

Question 10

how is the maturing brain a developmental factor

Answer 10

• more primitive brain structure (brain stem) after birth (regulates bodily functions
• amygdala - begins to develop relatively early - child sensitive to environmental threats
• prefrontal cortex - controls impulsive behaviour - doesn’t develop until adolescence

Question 11

how are hormones a developmental factor

Answer 11

• prenatally, embryos exposed to different levels of testosterone
• males higher than females
• during puberty - testosterone rises in males - same time as male engage in crime

Question 12

how is evolution a developmental factor

Answer 12

• governs behaviour present at birth that enhances behaviour
• plays part in the way we acquire behaviours during development
• e.g. tendency to learn to be afraid of things that were risky for our distant ancestors

Question 13

what are the strengths of the developmental factors

Answer 13

• scientific credibility - measured by PET and MRI scans - reliable
• Dabbs found high testosterone in violent criminals rather that non-violent prisoners
• useful application - Saliva swabs to identify and support young, at-risk males

Question 14

what are the weakness of the developmental factors

Answer 14

• refuting evidence by Brendgen - found physical aggression = genes but social aggression = environmental
• Bandura (SLT) - imitations of behaviour from role models - social and cognitive factors
• reductionist - ignores individual differences - isolates developmental