Brain functioning

Question 1

A01

Answer 1

neurotransmitters are electrochemical messengers that transports messages around the body via nerve impulses across the synapse during synaptic transmission
excitatory NT’s speed up firing - negative charge
inhibitory slow down firing- positive charge

seritonin is associated with mood, appetite, happiness, it also inhibits aggression and impulses from the amygdala, therefore if low levels of serotonin cant inhibit impulses leading to aggressive behaviour

dopamine is involved with reward, motivation and pleasure

high levels of dopamine can increase the risk/ motivation someone is willing to take for a reward, more likely to act impusively

high dopamine disrupt PFC ability control aggressive impulses

Question 2

point 1

Answer 2

dee higgle et al used monkeys to investigate the idea that low levels of seritonin lead to higher levels of aggression. took samples from monkeys measuring 5-HIAA levels which is a chemical produced by reuptake of seritonin so If serotonin does inhibit aggression we would expect aggressive monkeys to have low levels of 5-HIAA as they would be less seritonin to reuptake.

found negative correlation between agreeive monkeys: jumping between trees, aggressive to older and larger monkeys and 5-HIAA suggesting that low levels of serotonin does lead to aggression

weakness: reducitionist- SLT bandora

Question 3

point 2

Answer 3

GORKAL et al found lower levels of seritoninin those consuming alcohol. alcohol blocks serotonin from transmitting messages around the body and its often found that after consuming alcohol individuals become more agressive, demonstrating how low leve of serotonin leads to aggression

weakness: gender bias, research on low levels of seritonin has only been found on males not females

Question 4

point 3- application

Answer 4

if its suggested that imbalances of NT’s leads to aggression can use treatment that targets this- SSRI’s used on criminals with NT imbalances such as seitonin