Biological aggression Flashcards
Brain structure, hormones, neurotransmitters
Describe the case study of Phineas Gage
Date, what happened and results
(1848) Got impaled by a tamping iron. Remained conscious long enough to seek medical aid and post-treatment. Post-incident, he became “grossly profane” and more antisocial– unable to go back to being a foreman. Damage to prefrontal lobe (limbic sys). He was “no longer Gage”.
Describe the case study of Charles Whitman
Date, what happened and results
(1966) Murdered his family, continued his murder spree and then died by suicide. “Oozing with hostility”. Post-mortem, autopsy revealed a pecan-sized brain tumour pressing against his amygdala.
Ferrari et al.
Date, procedure, results
(2003) – Measured bloodwork of rat. Then, introduced intruder rat for 10 days and on the 11th, remeasured bloodwork. Found higher levels of dopamine (pleasure/addiction) and lower levels of serotinin (mood).
Wagner et al.
Date, procedure, results
(1979) – Castrated mice and observed lower levels of aggression. Injected 150μg (micrograms) of testerone, aggression levels rose to pre-castration levels.
How are deficits in the limbic system implicated in aggression?
Prefrontal cortex (rational thinking/self-control) controls amygdala’s fight/flight responses to be appropiate. Deficits means overheightened sense of danger and difficulty coping & reacting with -ve emotions.
