hormones and aggression Flashcards
have high of low levels of serotonin been linked to aggression
low
how does serotonin affect aggression
low levels of serotonin prevents stimulation of the amygdala and as the amygdala controls our emotions, this can lead to aggressive behaviours
what study investigates serotonin and its affect on aggression
Mann et al
describe Mann et als study
gave participants the drug dexfenfluramine which decreases serotonin levels
they then used a questionnaire to assess hostility and aggression levels, which were raised in males and not females
has high or low levels of dopamine been linked to aggression
high levels
what study investigates dopamines affect on aggression
Popova et al
describe Popova et als study
found that dogs that have been selectively bred for domestication and docile temperament had higher levels of serotonin than wild and aggressive dogs
suggesting that low serotonin does lead to aggression
what type of people usually have higher levels of dopamine
schizophrenics
define endocrine system
made up of the thyroid and pituitary gland, responsible for making hormones
define cortisol
steroid hormone produced within adrenal glands
define testosterone
hormone found predominantly in males due to greater exposure during puberty
define adrenaline
a hormone released from the adrenal glands, preparing body for fight of flight
how do hormones work
they bind to receptor proteins in target cells and changes the cell function
they move through the bloodstream and get to receptors via diffusion
what does adrenaline and noradrenaline do
prepare our body for fight or flight
what does ACTH do
stimulate the production and release of cortisol from the cortex of the adrenal gland
when is cortisol released
in response to stress and low blood glucose
describe haller and kruks study
described how stress hormones are influenced by the limbic system and can result in dysfunctional behaviour like aggression
found a positive correlation between ACTH, glucocorticoids and aggression, suggesting that intense/long lasting stress leads to aggression
how does testosterone link to aggression
male crime rates increase when the individuals testosterone levels rise(mid teens-late 20s)
Raine found 5% of males characterised by anti-social behaviour committed 50-70% of all violent crime
describe kalats study
in 15-25 year old men, those with the highest levels of circulating testosterone showed the highest levels of aggressive behaviour
in animals, castrated males fight the least, supporting this notion
describe dabbs et als study
measured levels of testosterone in the saliva of 89 male prisoners involved in violent and non violent crimes
found that testosterone levels in prisoners who committed violent crimes were higher
10/11 prisoners who committed a violent crime had high testosterone levels
positive correlation between testosterone levels and aggression
how does cortisol link to aggression
aggressiveness is an attempt to make stressful situations better by provoking cortisol release as low levels of cortisol means the ANS is underaroused
evaluate the generalisability of hormones relating to aggression (animals and humans)
there are sufficient differences between mice and humans which suggest that aggression in mice cant be generalised to humans
hypothalamus and limbic systems in humans and rodents are similar enough for generalisations to be made
evaluate the scientific credibility of hormones relating to aggression (animals and humans)
human and animals studies found a link between cortisol and testosterone and aggression, and there is so much research using different methods and measures
