neural + hormonal explanations Flashcards

Question

what area of the limbic system does high levels of testosterone effect?

Answer 1

increases the activity in the amygdala which increases aggression

Answer 2

reduce the activity of serotonin limiting its ability to inhibit aggressive impulses

Answer 3

Dabbs: in his study of male prisoners, he found that inmates with higher testosterone levels were more likely to have committed violent crimes, such as assault or murder, compared to those with lower testosterone levels who tended to commit non-violent crimes. suggests that testosterone may play a significant role in predisposing individuals, particularly men, to engage in more aggressive or dominant behaviors.

Answer 4

they oversimplify aggression by attributing it primarily to biological factors, neglecting the influence of environmental and social factors

Answer 5

Bandura (SLT): suggested that aggression is learned through observing and imitating others, particularly role models. bobo doll experiment: demonstrated how children exposed to aggressive models were more likely to display aggressive behavior themselves Care + Olmstead: argued that testosterone levels fluctuate with the environment, suggesting that aggression is not solely determined by fixed biological factors but can be influenced by situational and social contexts

Answer 6

while neural and hormonal explanations contribute to understanding aggression, they fail to account for the complexity of human behavior. a comprehensive explanation of aggression must integrate both biological and environmental factors, such as social learning and the impact of situational contexts, in order to provide a fuller understanding of why aggression occurs.

Answer 7

suggest that aggressive behavior is solely the result of biological factors like high testosterone or low serotonin

Answer 8

implies that individuals have little control over their aggressive impulses, as their behavior is pre-determined by biological factors. this can lead to justifications for aggressive actions based on hormonal imbalances or brain abnormalities, for example, a person might argue that their aggression was due to high testosterone or low serotonin levels, rather than taking personal responsibility for their actions. this creates a conflict with the legal principle of free will, where individuals are generally held accountable for their behavior, regardless of biological influences.

Answer 9

they can lead to discrimination and stigmatization of individuals with such deficiencies, and contribute to self-fulfilling prophecies.

Answer 10

studies have shown that low serotonin levels are associated with impulsive aggression, and high testosterone is linked to increased aggression. if individuals are diagnosed with these biological deficiencies, they might be unfairly judged or discriminated against in society. furthermore, if people with these traits are repeatedly told or labelled as more aggressive due to their hormone levels, this can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies, where they begin to internalize the stereotype and act more aggressively because they expect it of themselves.

Answer 11

while biological explanations provide insight into potential risk factors for aggression, their socially sensitive nature means they can have negative consequences for individuals therefore, these explanations should be considered with caution and in conjunction with a broader understanding of social and environmental factors that influence behavior.

Answer 12

by assuming aggression is expressed similarly in men and women, without considering gender differences.

Answer 13

male animals and male participants, particularly when examining the role of testosterone in aggressive behavior

Answer 14

studies often focus males and physical aggression and acts of violence, they often overlook the fact that women may express aggression in different ways (e.g., relational aggression), and that biological factors may influence female aggression differently.

Answer 15

it leads to a narrow and potentially inaccurate view of aggression, ignoring important gender differences in expression and underlying mechanisms. to develop a more comprehensive understanding of aggression, both male and female perspectives need to be included in research, considering different expressions of aggression and the biological, hormonal, and social factors that influence each gender.