Brain structure Flashcards
What is brain structure an explanation of?
aggression
what is the limbic system?
regulates endocrine function (emotions) in response to emotional stimuli and involved in reinforcing behaviours
4 parts- hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus
what does the limbic system have a role in?
self-preservation e..g fight or flight
what does the amygdala do?
-seen as source of emotions-aggression
takes in info from environment and decides on response
what does the hypothalamus do?
responsible for controlling homeostasis in body- levels of hormones such as testosterone
what does the periaqueductal grey area do?
grey area in the midbrain
links the hypothalamus,amygdala,prefrontal cortex together
has the job of coordinating and inter-grating behavioural responses
what does the pre-frontal cortex do?
related to controlling emotion,self-control,regulating our behaviour
-those less active/developed/smaller/damaged less able to control behaviour and emotions
supporting evidence for the amygdala and aggression
kluver-Bucy syndrome- research into rhesus monkeys-removed amygdala causing less aggressive behaviour
HOWEVER- animal research- can’t apply to human behaviour
Raine- found murderers had higher activity in right amygdala
supporting evidence for the hypothalamus and aggression
ANdy and Velamate- stimulated hypothalamus in cats- caused aggression and seizures
HOWEVER- animal research not very credible to human behaviour
CONFLICTING EVIDENCE- brain structure
- reductionist
- deterministic
- nurture? schmolck
- most research is animal studies
supporting evidence for pre-frontal cortex
phineas gage- rod damaged pre-frontal cortex and caused aggression
HOWEVER- case study- very unique to one person
Other evidence
evolution
social learning theory- learn through imitation
usefulness
help to control aggression
not useful for understanding aggression-deterministic- all biological
testability
brain scans- quantitative- extremely reliable nd valid
