neural and hormonal mechanisms

Question 1

what is a biological method of aggression?

Answer 1

assume that aggression is located within the biological make-up of the individual rather than in the environment

Question 2

what are neurotransmitters ?

Answer 2

chemicals that enable impulses within the brain to be transmitted from one area of the brain to another.

Question 3

what are the two main neurotransmitters ?

Answer 3

serotonin and dopamine. Essentially low levels of serotonin or high levels of dopamine are linked with aggression.

Question 4

how does serotonin affect the body ?

Answer 4

serotonin is thought to reduce aggression by inhibiting responses to emotional stimuli.

Question 5

support for serotonin ?

Answer 5

Mann et al (1990) administered dexenfluramine to 35 healthy adult volunteers. Dexenfluramine is a drug that depletes levels of serotonin in the brain. The findings were that males, but not females, exhibited greater levels of hostility and aggression after taking the drug.

Question 6

how does dopamine affect the body?

Answer 6

Dopamine has been linked with aggressive behaviour following observations that people who take drugs that increase dopamine levels, for example amphetamines, display more aggressive behaviour. Similarly the use of drugs to reduce dopamine levels (dopamine antagonists) has been found to be effective in controlling aggression

Question 7

evidence against the role of dopamine ?

Answer 7

It is very difficult to effectively research the role of dopamine in aggression and establish a causal link, due to the fact that dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter for many behaviours including the control of movement. Research techniques that reduce dopamine levels in the brain, for example in mice, also interfere with other essential behaviours and so it is almost impossible to research the influence of dopamine on aggression in isolation.

Question 8

the roles of hormones in the body ?

Answer 8

High levels of testosterone, particular in males, has been linked with aggressive behaviour. Low levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) have been linked with aggressive behaviour (Van Goozen et al, 2007).

Question 9

support for hormones ?

Answer 9

Archer (1991) found a correlation between aggression and testosterone levels

Question 10

IDA ?

Answer 10

gender bias - research tends to focus more on males, research done on females could be valuable.