Key question: What are the implications if aggression is a result of nature not nurture? Flashcards
What is aggression?
Over or covert, often harmful, social interaction with the intention of inflicting damage or other harm upon an individual
May occur reactively or without provocation
What is physical aggression?
Behaviour causing or threatening physical harm towards others
What is social aggression?
A for, of antisocial behaviour in which social relationships + social status are used to damage reputations + inflict emotional harm on others
What are the implications (conclusions) about nature vs nurture?
If behaviour caused by environment, someone can choose not to behave that way
If behaviour comes from someone’s nature, no choice, cant help biology and shouldnt be blamed for it
How does the pre-frontal cortex explain aggression?
Responsible for social interaction + regulation of behaviour
Damage to this area leads to anger problems, irritability, + impulsivity
What study links the pre-frontal cortex to aggression?
Damasio (1985) - Murderers had lower levels of glucose metabolism, offenders who showed impulsive aggression couldnt regulate behaviour due to low level of functioning
How is the amygdala linked to aggression?
Centre for emotions + emotional behaviour
Abnormalities can lead to reduction in autonomic arousal in individual, reducing emotional responses + increasing fearlessness
What study links the amygdala to aggression?
Kluver + Bucy (1939) - found that lesions to medial temporal lobe in monkeys got rid of aggressive behaviour
How is dopamine linked to aggression?
Increased levels of dopamine can produce increased levels of aggressive behaviour
What study links dopamine to aggression?
Lavine (1997) - found that increase in dopamine levels through use of amphetamines was associated with increase in aggression, suggesting that higher levels of dopamine correlate with higher aggression levels
How does evolution explain aggression?
Greater aggression in males due to those displaying aggressive traits more likely to survive + be successful mating with females than those who arent
So these traits are more likely to pass to offspring
What study links evolution to aggression?
Manson + Wrangman (1991) - studies from chimpanzees support this pattern of gender differences
What other biological techniques are used to explain aggression?
Case studies, brain scans, twin studies, adoption studies
How is the biological explanation reductionist?
Suggests behaviour is result of genetic factors + ignores situational + environmental factors
What are alternative explanations for aggression?
Bandura + SLT
