biological explanations for agression

Question 1

what are monozygotic twins?

Answer 1

same-sex identical twins that share 100% of their genes

Question 2

what are dizygotic twins?

Answer 2

non identical twins that may share up to 50% of their genes

Question 3

what is indirect aggression?

Answer 3

covert aggression, such as spreading malicious gossip

Question 4

what is relational aggression?

Answer 4

overt aggression but non-physical, such as pulling faces

Question 5

what is indirect and relational aggression part of?

Answer 5

social aggression

Question 6

what is aggression?

Answer 6

any behaviour including verbal events which involves attacking oneself or another person with an intention to harm physically or psychologically

Question 7

how does the prefrontal cortex link to aggression?

Answer 7

if damaged, the P.C could lead to deficits in control and decision making, leading to impulsive and aggressive behaviour

Question 8

how does the amygdala link to aggression?

Answer 8

• if the amygdala malfunctions, the fight or fight response may be triggered incorrectly, leading to aggressive behaviour
• having a small amygdala = being colder and harsher

Question 9

how does the hypothalamus link to aggression?

Answer 9

if damaged, sensory information may not be recieved properly, leading to changes in social behaviour

Question 10

how does the hippocampus link to aggression?

Answer 10

if the hippocampus is damaged, this can lead to changes in the amygdala function, influencing aggressive behaviour

Question 11

what is evidence to support the amygdala links to aggressive behaviour?

Answer 11

• The case of Charles Whitman - the cause of Charles’ extreme violence could potentially be due to the brain tumour pressing on his amygdala

Question 12

what is evidence to support the hypothalamus links to aggressive behaviour?

Answer 12

[Alpers] - the lawyer who had a tumour in the medial hypothalamus exhibited uncharacteristic outbursts of aggressive behaviour

Question 13

how does serotonin explain aggressive behaviour?

Answer 13

• low levels of serotonin = increased aggression
• there is less inhibition of the amygdala because there’s more activity occurring there = increase in aggressive behaviour

Question 14

how does dopamine explain aggressive behaviour?

Answer 14

increased levels of dopamine = increased aggression

Question 15

what is evidence to support serotonin links to aggressive behaviour?

Answer 15

[popova et al]
- found that selectively bred dogs have an increased amount of brain serotonin over generations
- suggests low levels of serotonin = high levels of aggression

• antidepressant drugs that elevate serotonin also tends to reduce irritability and impulsive aggression

Question 16

what is evidence to support dopamine links to aggressive behaviour?

Answer 16

[lovine et al]
- found that an increase in dopamine levels through the use of amphetamine was associated with an increase in aggressive behaviour
- suggestions that high levels of dopamine correlates with high levels of aggression