Neural Mechanisms

Question 1

Hot blooded aggression

Answer 1

Angry and impulsive behaviour coupled with psychological arousal

Question 2

Cold blooded aggression

Answer 2

A premeditated way of getting what you want

Question 3

Limbic system

Answer 3

Group of interconnected brain structures that help regulate emotions and behaviour. The amygdala, hypothalamus play a role in production of aggressive behaviour and hippocampus (specifically OFC) logical decision making

Question 4

Gospic (2011)

Answer 4

Rejection to unfair offer in The Ultimatum Game increased amygdala activity. Benzodiazepines halved number of rejections and decreased amygdala activity

Question 5

Serotonin

Answer 5

Inhibitory neurotransmitter, slowing neural activity, allowing greater degree of behavioural self control. Low levels associated with aggression

Question 6

Strengths of neural mechanisms

Answer 6

• Case study evidence supporting limbic system (eg. Burns & Swerdlow found pedophelia emerged from tumour in OFC but resolved after surgery)
• Supportive evidence for role of serotonin (eg. Berman found p’s given paroxetine gave fewer and less intense shocks in response to provocation)

Question 7

Limitations of neural mechanisms

Answer 7

• Lacks construct validity (eg. Operationalised definitions may not genuinely capture complex nature of aggression)
• Correlational studies (eg. Brain scans only establish association between brain structures and aggression so unable to establish what causes what)