Neural and hormonal influences Flashcards
What are the neural influences on aggression?
Limbic system (amygdala, hippocampus) and serotonin.
What are the hormonal influences on aggression?
Testosterone.
What is the limbic system?
Area of brain that controls emotional behaviour (e.g. fear) and drives (e.g. hunger).
What is the role of the amygdala in the limbic system?
Evaluates emotional importance of sensory information and stimulates aggressive responses.
What is the role of the hippocampus in the limbic system?
Allows evaluation of current situation by comparing with past experiences using LTM.
How does serotonin influence aggression?
Inhibits firing of amygdala that regulates aggressive behaviour.
Define serotonin deficiency hypothesis.
Less inhibition of serotonin reduces the control over aggressive responses, causing aggressive behaviour.
Briefly describe what testosterone is and where it’s produced?
Hormone produced mainly by males in testes but also occurring in females.
Describes two influences of testosterone in the body.
Development of secondary sexual characteristics
Associated with higher levels of aggression.
Why is testosterone associated with higher levels of aggression?
It’s action on aggression-related areas of the brain e.g. amygdala.
Briefly describe evidence for the role of testosterone in aggression.
Dabbs correlation between T concentration and violent criminal history.
(AO3) Outline research evidence for the role of serotonin in aggression.
Monkeys. Increased serotonin levels through drugged food. Found reduces aggressive behaviour. Suggests important link but issues with generalisation.
(AO3) Explain an extension of the the theory of testosterone’s influence on aggression.
Dual-testosterone hypothesis. T does not work alone. Antagonistic relationship with stress-related hormone cortisol. Increased T levels associated with increased aggression only when cortisol levels low. Different hormones have influence so theory is more complex.
(AO3) Explain a limitation of the neural and hormonal influences of aggression on influences.
Overly reductionist explanations. Reduces to basic units and small parts. Ignores other levels of explanations e.g. environmental or psychic. Leads to limited understanding. However, establishing causal relationships important for development of treatments.
(AO3) Describe the strengths of using the biological approach to aggression.
Includes brain structures, neurochemistry, hormonal influences. Objective approach, empirical evidence e.g. brain scans and hormonal levels. Reduces chance of bias, subjectivity impact on theories. High validity and reliability.
