neural explanation of aggression

Question 1

limbic system

Answer 1

Connects to cingulate gyrus

regulates emotions and emotional behaviour. a set of neural structures located in centre of brain that includes the amygdala, hippocampus and hypothamalus, involved in whether we do or don’t respond aggressively to external stimuli. : these 3 key to aggressive response s

a malfunctioning limbic system increases aggression s we will have more irrational responses which means more likely to respond aggressively.

Question 2

hypothalamus

Answer 2

produces aggressive behaviour. expresses emotional responses and can trigger the fight or flight response. it detects threat or danger that triggers aggressive behaviour

damage to area can result in inappropriate aggressive responses to a perceived threat

next to amy small

Question 3

amygdala

Answer 3

linked to production of aggressive behaviour. it evaluates emotional cues and prompts appropriate responses. determines whether an event is good or bad and the emotional meaning of events in environment. evaluates whether situation is threatening or not and then decides on an appropriate response.

removal of amygdala leads to activation of aggression. damage to amygdala means evaluation process of determining whether situation is threatful or not will be impaired and aggression will result as responses are no longer appropriate

looks like almond small

Question 4

process:

Answer 4

if event percieved is dangerous- amygdala sends nerve impulses to hypothalamus- activates hypothalamus- this procudes aggression.

Question 5

hippocampus

Answer 5

relys on past experiences to determine if situation id dangerous or not. sends info stored in memory to amygdala to determine the emotional meaning of events in the environment. learning from previous aggressive events.

if damaged may cause amygdala to respond inappropriately therefore causing aggressive behaviour
also prevents correct encoding of experience hence irrational responses to situations.

underneath the other 2

Question 6

frontal cortex -look at uplearn

Answer 6

stops from displaying aggression. it sends signals that inhibits neurons in the amygdala to prevent aggressive behaviour when inappropriate- causes neurons in amygdala to generate fewer nerve nerve impulses- causes amygdala to stop sending nerve impulses to hypothalamus- stopping aggressive behaviour

if damaged then it cant inhibit amygdala- so continues to send nerve impulses to hypothalamus- that increases aggression

at the front of brain