Neural and Hormonal Mechanisms (Biological explanations)

Question 1

What factors come under neural and hormonal mechanisms (specify which one)?

Answer 1

Serotonin, dopamine and brain structure (neural).

Testosterone (hormonal).

Question 2

How do serotonin levels lead to aggression?

Answer 2

Serotonin has a clam/inhibitory effect on the brain. When there is low levels of serotonin in the brain, this can lead to impulsive behaviour, such as over-eating, or aggression.

Question 3

What three studies support serotonin as a factor for aggression?

Answer 3

Brown (1982), Mann (1990) and Ferrari (2003).

Question 4

Outline Brown’s findings from 1982.

Answer 4

Those with higher aggression levels had decreased levels of serotonin metabolism waste products in their cerebrospinal fluid.

Question 5

Outline Mann’s study and findings from 1990 and say which causal direction this supports.

Answer 5

Mann administered serotonin reducing drugs. The next day, men scored lower on aggression. It suggests serotonin causes aggression.

Question 6

Outline Ferrari’s findings from 2003 and say which causal direction this supports (serotonin).

Answer 6

A rat who fought every day for 10 days had higher serotonin on the 11th day in anticipation for a fight. This suggests aggression causes a serotonin increase.

Question 7

Give the three studies which support dopamine as a cause of aggression.

Answer 7

Lavine (1997), Buitelaar (2003) and Ferrari (2003).

Question 8

Outline Lavine’s findings from 1997.

Answer 8

An increase in levels of dopamine is linked to an increase in aggression.

Question 9

Outline Buitelaar’s study and findings from 2003 and say which causal direction this supports.

Answer 9

With the use of an anti-psychotic drug Buitelaar reduced dopamine levels and found there was decreased aggression. This suggests dopamine causes aggression.

Question 10

Outline Ferrari’s study and findings from 2003 and say which causal direction this supports (dopamine).

Answer 10

A rat is allowed to fight for 10 days. On the 11th day the rat’s dopamine levels were increased in expectation of a fight. Suggests aggression causes a dopamine increase.

Question 11

Give a study which goes against the dopamine theory.

Answer 11

Couppis et al (2008).

Question 12

Outline Couppis’ findings from 2008. Say how this is a problem for the dopamine theory.

Answer 12

Couppis found dopamine is linked to movement in rats. Therefore, the increase in dopamine in Ferrari’s studies could be due to the increased movement which occurs during fighting.

Question 13

What behaviours are linked to testosterone?

Answer 13

Predatory and sexual.

Question 14

What are the two models for the causal direction of testosterone and aggression?

Answer 14

The basal model and the reciprocal model.

Question 15

What are the four supporting studies for the testosterone theory?

Answer 15

Nelson (1995), Wagner (1979), Pope (N/A) and Mazur & Booth (1998).

Question 16

Outline Nelson’s study and findings from 1995.

Answer 16

Researched hormone influence on aggressive behaviour and found there to be a positive correlation between the level of testosterone circulating in the body and aggressive behaviour in female and male prisoners.

Question 17

Outline Wagner’s study and findings from 1979 and say which causal direction this supports.

Answer 17

Found that if a mouse was castrated, overall levels of aggression decreased. One testosterone was administered, aggression levels rose. Supports the Basal model.

Question 18

Outline Pope’s study and findings and say which causal direction this supports.

Answer 18

Men were given doses of testosterone across six months. They scored higher on aggression scales, though there was no necessary changed in actual aggressive behaviour. Supports the basal model.

Question 19

Outline Mazur & Booth’s study and findings from 1998 and say which causal direction this supports.

Answer 19

2,100 air force veterans studied across 10 years with 4 medical examinations. Their testosterone levels when married and increased upon divorce. Supports the reciprocal model.

Question 20

Give two negative IDA points against the noradrenaline theory.

Answer 20

Determinism and Nature vs Nurture.

Question 21

Give the negative IDA point of determinism for the noradrenaline theory.

Answer 21

A male could say that due to their heightened noradrenaline levels they are likely to commit aggressive acts giving them an excuse to do so.

Question 22

Give the negative IDA point of nature vs nurture for the noradrenaline theory.

Answer 22

Relies very heavily on nature and therefore can’t explain theories such as SLT and deindividuation.

Question 23

What are the two areas of the brain identified as causing aggression?

Answer 23

The hypothalamus and the amygdala.

Question 24

How could brain areas get damaged?

Answer 24

Either through injury or through illness.

Question 25

What are the two supporting studies (one is not really a study) in support of the role of the amygdala in aggression?

Answer 25

Amygdalectomies and Blair.

Question 26

How do amygdalectomies support the role of the amygdala in aggression? However, what did they also cause that could be a problem for causality?

Answer 26

Amygdalectomies caused a reduction in aggression. Also caused a reduction in aggression.

Question 27

What did Blair find (amygdala).

Answer 27

Found that a damaged amygdala led to increased aggression.

Question 28

What two studies support the role of the hypothalamus in aggression?

Answer 28

Bard & Mountcastle (1953) and Flynn (2006).

Question 29

Outline Bard & Mountcastle’s study and findings from 1953.

Answer 29

Looked at rage in cats caused by a detachment of the higher and lower brain through lesioning. They concluded that it is the hypothalamus which initiates aggressive behaviour.

Question 30

Outline Flynn’s study and findings from 2006.

Answer 30

Found stimulating the lateral hypothalamus in cats made them more likely to show preditorial aggression. When the medial hypothalamus was stimulated vicious attack behaviour is more likely.

Question 31

What are three studies which support the role of brain structure in aggression but do not provide support for either the amygdala or the hypothalamus?

Answer 31

Phineas Gage, Delgardo’s Bulls and Raine.

Question 32

What happened to Phineas Gage?

Answer 32

Phineas gage had a tamping iron pass through his head. He lost significant areas of the brain (particularly his frontal cortex). Following this, he was found to be bad tempered and rude.

Question 33

Outline Delgardo’s bulls study and findings. What role does this part of the brain also have which provides problems for drawing causal links?

Answer 33

Transmitters planted in the caudate nucleus (basal ganglia area) led to reduced aggression. However, the caudate nucleus was linked to voluntary movement, so it could have just been measuring voluntary movement.

Question 34

Outline Raine’s study and findings in support of the general role of the brain in aggression.

Answer 34

Brain scans of people with anti-social personality disorder found they had 11% less neurones in the prefrontal cortex.