BIOLOGICAL hormones as an explanation of aggression Flashcards

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1
Q

what is a hormone

A

chemical substances produced by glands that travel through the blood stream to a target organ/gland

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2
Q

how are hormones differnet to electrical impulses

A

electrical impulses travel extremely quickly but hormones have a slower effect on organs and glands
electrical impulses are carried by neurons but hormones carried in the bloodstream

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3
Q

what are the four hormones we study

A
  • testosterone
  • adrenaline
  • cortisol
  • progesterone
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4
Q

what is the function of testosterone and where is it secreted

A
  • steroid hormone linked to muscle development and aggression
  • secreted in the testis in males and lesser in females
  • increases with puberty and produced in spurts - effective in minutes
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5
Q

what does testosterone cause

A
  • influences areas of the brain that control behaviour (amygdala and hypothalamus)
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6
Q

how does testosterone correlate with aggression

A

high levels = higher levels of aggression

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7
Q

where is adrenaline produced and what is the function

A
  • produced in teh adrenal gland
  • linked to fight or flight reaction - a need to be physically strong or fast
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8
Q

what does adrenaline cause

A
  • increase heart rate and breathing rates
  • increases blood flow to muscles
  • causes pupil dialation which increases visual range to detect threats
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9
Q

hwo does adrenaline correlate to aggression

A

high levels = higher levels of aggression

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10
Q

where is cortisol produced and what is the function

A
  • produced in the adrenal glands
  • main job is to manage stress and inhibit aggression
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11
Q

who mainly has more cortisol between men and women

A

women generally have higher cortisol levels than men

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12
Q

how does cortisol correlate to aggression

A

low levels = higher levels of aggression

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13
Q

what gender mainly have more progesterone and what is the function

A

women - linked to maternal instincts in nurturing children

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14
Q

what is the medication given to increase progesterone and whos it given to

A

Depo-Provera - given to sex offenders to lower aggression and sexual urges

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15
Q

how does progesterone correlate to aggression

A

lower levels = higher levels of aggression

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16
Q

positives of the theory

A
  • supporting evidence - Dabbs (1987) - non-violent and violent male prisoners - found 10 out of 1 had hgih levels of testosterone
  • supporting evidence - Barzman - testosterone and cortisol levels in boys at psychiatric ward - all low cortisol
  • useful application - identifies hormones that lead to aggression - objectiove ways to measure (saliva and blood) - protect staff from psychiatric ward
17
Q

negatives of the theory

A
  • alternative explanation - social learning theory - observe and imitate behaviour - enviromental factors
  • credibility - cause and effect - only correlations - direction of effects are unclear
  • reductionist - isolates hormones as sole factor - ignores others e.g. brain functioning