hormonal mechanisms in aggression

Question 1

two main hormones implicated in aggression

Answer 1

• testosterone
• progesterone
  = both explain the gender differences in aggression

Question 2

testosterone

Answer 2

• male sex hormone
• decides whether embryo develops into male/ female
• responsible for development of masculine features + sex drive
• influence aggression from young adulthood
• there is research evidence to support how removing the source of testosterone, resulted in much lower levels of aggression
• through reinstating testosterone w/ synthetic led to return of aggressive behaviour
• psychs claimed that testosterone concentrations fluctuate rapidly = due to changed in social environment
  = influences aggressive behaviour by increasing amygdala reactivity when processing a social threat

Question 3

progesterone

Answer 3

• female sex hormone
• natural antidepressant = increases mood
• levels vary during ovulation cycle
• psychs found a negative correlation between progesterone levels + self-reported aggression
  = low levels of progesterone –> increased aggression in women

Question 4

strengths of hormonal mechanisms

Answer 4

• castrating mice
• rhesus monkeys

Question 5

animal + correlation - weakness of hormonal mechanisms

Answer 5

• weakness of research into the role of hormones e.g. testosterone in aggression
  = lack of generalisation in animal studies to humans
• research only provides correlational support for the cause of aggression
  = research only demonstrates a relationship between lowered testosterone + lowered aggression
  = doesn’t confirm if testosterone is a cause of aggression

Question 6

castrating mice - strengths of hormonal mechanisms

Answer 6

• there is research support for testosterone being implicated in aggression, especially in non-human animals
• psych decided to test this theory out by castrating mice
  = aggression levels went down
  = providing support to the theory that testosterone is implicated in aggression

Question 7

rhesus monkeys - strengths of hormonal mechanisms

Answer 7

• review of studies further confirms the role of testosterone
• e.g. in male rhesus monkeys, there is an increases in both testosterone levels + aggressive behaviour during the mating season