Lecture 9 - Aggression

Question 1

Testosterone production

Answer 1

testes in interstitial cells

response to glycoprotein produced in anterior pituitary in brain

Question 2

Testosterone effects in humans

Answer 2

higher levels, more likely to be aggressive
T levels increase in anticipation of aggression (priming effect)
increase after aggressive incident - feedback loop

Question 3

Challenge hypothesis

Answer 3

challenge of fight increases T
Wingfield 1980 - song sparrow
male A removed from territory, replaced by male B
neighbours had increased T

Question 4

Stress hormone differences winners and losers

Answer 4

copperhead snakes - losers = high corticosterone

less likely to have subsequent fights and court females

Question 5

Social species dominance hierarchies

Answer 5

m+f separate hierarchies

or females assume rank of partner

Question 6

Human dominance

Answer 6

western men compete by achievement
heavier jaw
castrated men live 12 years longer

Question 7

Type A personality

Answer 7

respond more rapidly to challenge, noradrenaline

• low ranking in hierarchy = die sooner of coronary heart disease from stress
• more mates despite shorter life
• high ranking = all benefits, few costs

Question 8

male - male combat

Answer 8

dominant males secure more mates

fights between evenly matched

Question 9

sexual cannibalism praying mantis

Answer 9

females eat males after copulation
lay 30% more eggs
inseminate more sperm

Question 10

siblicide

Answer 10

eagles older chicks kill younger

birth control when limited resources

Question 11

infanticide in langur monkeys

Answer 11

new males takes over kills babies

females come into oestrus sooner

Question 12

child abuse

Answer 12

children with step parents more likely to be abused

Question 13

Sociobiology debate

Answer 13

if behaviour is determined by genes - unchangeable?