brain structure and functioning

Question 1

thalamus

Answer 1

receives info from senses and passes it onto other areas of brain

Question 2

prefrontal cortex

Answer 2

controls behaviour, personality and decision-making
delays gratification of impulses
inhibits the amygdala

Question 3

how can damage to the PFC cause aggression

Answer 3

if it’s damaged:
- our impulses will no longer be controlled
- the amygdala is no longer inhibited so incorrect perception of stimuli and impulse
- reduction in volume of gray matter in PFC causes antisocial personality disorder
- lower serotonin in PFC causes more aggression

Question 4

left amygdala

Answer 4

motivation and reward

Question 5

right amygdala

Answer 5

fear conditioning

Question 6

amygdala

Answer 6

fight or flight response
centre for emotions and motivation

Question 7

how can a damaged amygdala cause aggression

Answer 7

smaller volume = more violent
- unable to condition fear
- more likely to act impulsively
- high recidivism due to no conditioning
- links to limbic system mean inappropriate responses to a perceived threat

Question 8

Pardini

Answer 8

26 year old men with lower amygdala volumes were over 3x more likely to be aggressive, violent or psychopathic than 26 year old men with normal amygdala volumes

Question 9

hypothalamus

Answer 9

regulates homeostasis and hormones

Question 10

how can a damaged hypothalamus cause aggression

Answer 10

inaccurate messages sent to pituitary gland in NTs and hormones so stimulates amygdala incorrectly

Question 11

Gorkal et al

Answer 11

fMRI scans
ppts who had taken alcohol showed less brain activity
alcohol interferes with brain’s ability to pass on serotonin messages as it blocks serotonin
so higher aggression

Question 12

hippocampus

Answer 12

converts STM to LTM, sends memories to be stored in cerebrum

Question 13

how can a damaged hippocampus cause aggression

Answer 13

if STM can’t convert to LTM they can’t recall past experiences and learn from them

Question 14

weaknesses of brain as explanation of aggression

Answer 14

• reductionist (ignores hormone-brain interaction)
• learning topic opposes
• animal studies less valid
• deterministic, ignore free will (Jim Fallon)
• brain scans can be affected by anxiety

Question 15

strengths of brain as explanation of aggression

Answer 15

• brain scanning objective, quantitative, scientific status, credible
• implications in judicial processes
• useful case studies that would be unethical to study otherwise