Role of the amygdala AO1 (5 marks)

Question 1

Paragraph 1 : intro

Answer 1

The amygdala has been associated with certain responses such as aggressiveness, impulsiveness and lack of fear response, implicated in criminal behaivours. The amygdala has been associated with certain behvaiours such as psychopathy, this is a personality disorder involving severe disruption in moral behaviour accompanied by pronounced deficits in emotion.

Question 2

Paragraph 1: evidence Psychopaths are more likely to…

Answer 2

Psychopaths are more likely to engage in criminal behaviour because those with a higher psychopathy score had a reduced activity of the amygdala during emotional moral decision making. This was evident in Glenn (2009) and their study demonstrated that amygdala functioning is disrupted during moral decision-making in psychopathy. ​

Question 4

Paragraph 1: this shows…

Answer 4

This shows that without such amygdala activation, individuals may be undeterred from conning and manipulating others, predisposing them to impulsive behaviour, irresponsible decisions and engaging in criminal behaviour without feeling guilt or remorse.

Question 5

Paragraph 2:Evidence Raines study found…

Answer 5

Raines’ study found that there was a hemispheric asymmetry in amygdala functioning. he found that there was a reduced left and greatERR Right activity of the amygldala. This showed the differences produced unusual emotional responses such as lack of fear. ​Also includes a lack of empathy, remorse, guilt. This explains criminal behaviour because

Question 6

Paragraph 2: Explanation: this showed…

Answer 6

This showed the differences produced unusual emotional responses such as lack of fear. ​Also includes a lack of empathy, remorse, guilt. This explains criminal behaviour because a lack of fear meant that criminals are not scared of the repercussions of their behaviour.

Question 7

Paragraph 2: Furthermore…