Biological: Neural Mechanisms Flashcards
What is the conclusion of research into the role of serotonin in aggressive behaviour?
Low in those who are aggressive
Who conducted research into the influence of serotonin and dopamine on animal aggressive behaviour?
Ferrari 2003: rat fought at same time for 10 days, 11th day not allowed to fight but dopamine raised and serotonin decreased in anticipation of fight
What evaluative issues weaken the support of Ferrari’s 2003 findings?
rats don’t have the same brains as humans, simpler mechanisms, the result of the study due to operant conditioning (aggression = higher dopamine = good)
Who conducted correlational research into the affect of serotonin on human aggression?
Brown 1982: major metabolite of serotonin tends to be low in cerebrospinal fluid of impulsive/aggressive people
Who conducted a controlled study into aggression and serotonin levels in humans?
Mann 1990: gave drug which lowers serotonin, 35 Pps, questionnaire after, males: hostility and aggression levels increased after drug
What are the issues with the Mann 1990 study?
Questionnaire relies on self report: social desirability and demand characteristics, drug might cause aggression with low serotonin being a side effect
What is the conclusion of research into the role of dopamine in aggressive behaviour?
High in those who are aggressive
What are antagonists?
drugs which reduce/prevent normal activity of neurotransmitters
Who conducted research on dopamine and aggression with the use of antagonists?
Buitelaar 2003: antagonists which reduce dopamine activity successfully reduced aggressive behaviour in violent deliquents
Who conducted research into the increase of dopamine and the affect this has on aggression?
Lavine 1997: increases in dopamine activity (amphetamine use) is associated with increased aggressive behaviour
What is the evidence that dopamine plays a motivational role in aggressive behaviour?
Couppis 2008: some people intentionally seek out aggressive encounters for the rewarding sensations (increased dopamine)
What is the difficulty with demonstrating the role of dopamine experimentally?
cant measure chemistry of brain during active aggression in humans
