Neural And Hormonal Mechanisms

Question 1

Neural AO1

Serotonin
Dopamine

Answer 1

Low levels of serotonin and high levels of dopamine associated

S - normal levels - calming on neuron firing inhibiting agg responses - low level reduce inhibitions increasing agg

D - increases via use of anphetamines are associated with agg - dopamine positively reinforces agg as it is produced in resp to rewarding stimuli eg food - violent encounters elicit rewarding sensations - so we seek them out

Question 2

Hormonal AO1

Testosterone
Cortisol

Answer 2

Low levels of C and high of T associated with agg

T - more = more competitive/dominant increasing likelihood of taking part in anti social behaviour - lowers amount of serotonin available for synaptic transmission

Cortisol - high levels inhibits T so low levels = agg

Question 3

Neural/Hormonal AO2

Neural -

Mann et all
Raleigh
Couppis and Kennedy

Hormonal -
McBurnett
Dabs et al
Albert et al

Gender bias
Bio reductionist

Answer 3

N -
Mann - 35 healthy subjects given dexfenfluramine depleting serotonin - increased agg and hostility BUT only in males
Raleigh - varvet monkeys - fed on diet high in trytopha which increases S - decreased agg signs
C&K - mice reward pathway lights up in resp to agg event - dopamine pos reinforcer

Hormonal -
McB- boys with low C levels began anti social acts at a younger age, 3x no of agg symptoms
Dabs - salivatory testosterone in criminal highest in those with violent and severe crimes in past
Albert- some have found no rel between test and agg - often look at too small groups to generalise

Gender bias - some women actually act nicer if high in test - status seeking not agg

Bio red - BUT can lead to treatment