Hormone Explanation Of Aggression Flashcards
What is a hormone?
Chemical messengers that transmit information around the body
What is the endocrine system?
Hormones are produced by glands and glands make up the system.
How does testosterone effcet brain structure?
-Influences frontal cortex, amygdala and the hypothalamus which are associated with aggression.
How does testosterone effect action potentials?
-Lowers activation threshold of the amygdala.
-Shortens refractory period so more signals will fire so more aggressive.
How does testosterone effect people in the womb and postnatally?
-Men are more aggressive as they have more testosterone.
-A natal exposure effects brain structure and chemistry (more exposure can change response.
-Females have more oestrogen but high testosterone still causes aggression.
How does serotonin link to aggression?
-Controls calmness.
-Low levels mean more aggression and effects response to stimuli.
How does adrenaline link to aggression?
-Linked to fight or flight response.
-So temporality more aggressive.
How does cortisol link to aggression?
-Inhibits aggression as it mediates testosterone.
-High levels mean less aggression.
-Produced in a stressful enviroment.
How does Dabbs et al (1995) support the theory?
-measured testosterone in 692 adult male prisoners. Found higher levels in rapists and violent offenders over thieves.
-Violent offenders are more aggressive and therefore have more testosterone.
How does Edwards (1968) support the theory?
-Injected female rats with testosterone made much more aggressive compared to control group.
-More testosterone in blood makes mice more aggressive.
What is the problem with using animal research to support the theory?
-Different brain structure and responses so cannot be generalised to human behaviour and responses.
How is the theory reductionist?
-Says aggression is caused by levels of testosterone and nothing else so too simplistic.
How can the theory explain individual and gender differences?
-Explains with people with higher levels of testosterone are more aggressive especially between men and women (and cortisol as the opposite).
How is the theory scientific?
-Can be measured by blood tests so empirical.
