Neural and Hormonal Mechanisms

Question 1

What does the limbic system consist of?

Answer 1

Hypothalamus, hippocampus and amygdala

Question 2

How is the limbic system theorised to be linked to depression?

Answer 2

Plays a key role in how an organism responds to environmental threats
Argued to be the key factor in whether we respond aggressively

Question 3

What is the difference between reactive and proactive aggression?

Answer 3

Reactive aggression is a response to a perceived threat
Proactive aggression is a response to an anticipated reward

Question 4

What’s the role of the hypothalamus?

Answer 4

Responsible for the regulation of the autonomic nervous system (fight or flight)
Damage to this area can result in an inappropriate aggressive response

Question 5

What is the role of the amygdala?

Answer 5

Responsible for attaching emotional significance to sensory info
Important prediction of aggressive behaviour

Question 6

What other areas does the limbic system connect to?

Answer 6

• Cingulate gyrus: responsible for focusing attention on prefrontal cortex, which is involved in forward planning and anticipation reward
• It also passes signals to higher systems in prefrontal cortex (where feelings are monitored)
• This triggers a physical response and plays a role in regulating social behaviour
• Damage to pre frontal cortex reduces inhibition of amygdala resulting in higher levels of aggression

Question 7

AO3: research support with vervet monkeys ✅

Answer 7

P: The association between low serotonin levels and aggression has been support by research with vervet monkeys
E: Raleigh et al (1991) found that monkeys on a diet high in tryptophan (increases serotonin levels) exhibited decreased levels of aggression
E: However, monkeys on a low tryptophan diet showed increased aggression
L: This suggest the different in levels of aggression could relate to serotonin levels and may play a part in high levels of violence

Question 8

AO3: drug research for serotonin ✅

Answer 8

P: drug research has further supported the link between serotonin and levels of aggression
E: Berman et al (2009) gave a control group a placebo drug, whilst the experimental group were given paroxetine, a drug that enhances serotonin activity. Participants then took part in a lab experiment which involved administering electric shocks of varying intensity
E: The paroxetine participants consistently gave fewer and less intense shocks than those in the control group
L: This study is therefore useful evidence of a link between serotonin function and aggression that goes beyond the usual correlational findings