Biological Psychology - HORMONE THEORY Flashcards
What is the claim for hormone theory?
This explanation claims that aggression is caused by the release of hormones such as testosterone.
What are the components?
- Hormones
- Testosterone
- Conclusion from animals
What is the supporting evidence?
- Wagner
- Mazur and Booth
- Hawke
What is the opposing evidence?
- Reductionist
- Animal evidence
- Hard to measure
What are hormones?
They pass chemical messages via the bloodstream all around the body. They take a longer amount of time to cause an impact compared to neurotransmitters but their effects usually last longer. Hormones are secreted by the endocrine system [a system of glands].
What is testosterone?
It’s a hormone that is linked to aggression. It is released in spurts and levels can rise suddenly. Androgen produces male characteristics. There are higher testosterone levels in males [8x more higher than females] that’s why males are more aggressive.
What is conclusion from animals?
When mice or rats are castrated [testosterone levels drop] their biting reduces. When injected with testosterone, their biting increased, back to the same as before castration.
Describe Wagner’s study:
When rats levels of testosterone were high, they often bit eachother, indicating aggression. When castrated, aggression levels drop. When the castrated rats were injected with testosterone, their aggression levels rose back to pre-castration levels.
Describe Mazur and Booth study:
Men with higher levels of testosterone are more likely to be arrested, and are more likely to use weapons in fights. This was indicated by Mazur and Booth’s review of several studies [a mental analysis].
Describe Hawke’s study:
When castrating sex offenders, this led to the removal of aggression and a loss of sex drive.
Why is this theory reductionist?
Because it fails to account for the fact that females can still be aggressive, despite having lower testosterone levels. This implies that there must be another contributing cause for aggression.
