Brain Structure

Question 1

Amygdala

Answer 1

Centre for emotions. Controls instinctive feelings. E.g. cats stimulated amygdala had rage response

Question 2

Prefrontal Cortex

Answer 2

Impulse control. Governs social interaction, regulates behaviour. Damage to this area is linked to anger management issues and poor impulse control.

Question 3

Midbrain

Answer 3

peroaqueductal grey matter (PAG) links prefrontal cortex to the Amygdala so it can control the rmotional impulses.

Question 4

Hypothalamus

Answer 4

homeostatis regulates hormones including testosterone which is important in aggressive behaviour.

Question 5

Brain structure theory of aggression

Answer 5

This theory of aggression is that 4 areas of the brain are responsible for causing aggressive behaviour

Therefore according to this theory, weak prefrontal cortex and over active amygdalas may result in aggressive behaviour because people feel stronger anger and yet have less control over that anger.

Question 6

+Supported by: Raine

Answer 6

Found murders who pleaded not guilty by reasons of insanity to reacitive not planned murder had overactive amygdalas and underactive prefrontal cortex

Question 7

+Supported by: Case of Ted

Answer 7

Ted had a tumour pushing on his prefrontal cortex which resulted in lack of impulse control and behaviour out of his normal character e.g. assaulting his wife.

Question 8

+Supported by: Case of Julie.

Answer 8

Julie had epilepsy which stimulated her amygdala. Her fits made her have a physical rage response.

Question 9

+Scientific

Answer 9

Research is using scientific methods, brain scans and case studies are particularly useful is establishing a cause and effect relationship.

Question 10

-Reductionist

Answer 10

This theory reduces complex behaviour with many influences to one simple cause. This theory would be better considered alongside environmental and learning factors.

Question 11

-Deterministic

Answer 11

This theory fails to take into account the free will and choice of a person. For example there are cases of people with this brain structure who aren’t violent.

Question 12

-Use of animal research

Answer 12

lots of research with rats. Not the same as humans and a complex human emotion like aggression is difficult to compare to the social behaviour of a rat.

Question 13

-Use of case studies: (Ted, Julie)

Answer 13

They are difficult to generalise. We cant be sure that the same brain damage would have the same behaviour effects on another person.