Schizophrenia

Question 1

What s the difference between a neural and a hormonal response ?

Answer 1

Neural-related to the neurone and neural structure such as neurotransmitters.
Hormonal-how chemical messages influence the body.

Question 2

What is reactive/hot blooded aggression?

Answer 2

Angry and impulsive behaviour that occurs in the moment.

Question 3

What is proactive/cold blooded aggression?

Answer 3

A pre meditated way of getting what you want.

Question 4

What are the 3 biological influences of aggressive behaviour?

Answer 4

-Limbic system
-Serotonergic neurotransmission
-Testosterone

Question 5

What regions are in the limbic system?

Answer 5

Amygdala, Thalamus/Hypothalamus and the Hippocampus.

Question 6

What is the most important part of the limbic system?

Answer 6

The Amygdala as it acts as a threat sensor

Question 7

What is the role of the amygdala?

Answer 7

Produces aggressive behaviour. fMRI images show increased activity during aggressive behaviours.

Question 8

What is the role of the Hypothalamus?

Answer 8

Role in integrating and expressing emotional responses, can trigger aggression as a response.

Question 9

What is the role of the OFC (orbitofrontal cortex)?

Answer 9

Is an external layer of the brain which controls executive function (decision making) and controls aggression produced by the limbic system.

Question 10

What is the role of serotonin in aggression ?

Answer 10

Has widespread inhibitory effects=ts on the brain by slowing down neuronal activity. Aggression is associated with low levels of serotonin in the OFC.

Question 11

Strengths/Support of biological explanation
Raine et al

Answer 11

Raine et al
Used PET scans compared brains of murderers (NGRI) and non murderers.
Differences in prefrontal cortex activity.

Question 12

Strengths/Support of biological explanation
Cocaro et al

Answer 12

Cocaro et al
Found patients with Intermittent Explosive Disorder showed reduced OFC and increased amygdala activity when shown aggressive faces.

Question 13

Strengths/Support of biological explanation
Sajous-Turner et al

Answer 13

Sajous-Turner et al
Found reduced brain volume in the OFC a temporal regions in homicidal subjects compared to non-homicidal.

Question 14

Strengths/Support of biological explanation
Berman

Answer 14

Berman
Gave ppts drug increasing serotonin or placebo, they then took place in a game giving shocks.
Ppts given the drugs gave fewer shocks , suggests more serotonin=less aggression.

Question 15

Weaknesses of biological explanation

Answer 15

Ethical considerations
Provoking aggression harms ppts
Other intervening variables need considerations

Question 16

What is testosterone?

Answer 16

A male sex hormone which is responsible for masculine features.

Question 17

What is the role of testosterone in aggression?

Answer 17

-Males are more aggressive than females
-Testosterone regulates social behaviour
-Daly & Wilson suggest aggression peaks alongside testosterone levels

Question 18

Testosterone in prison studies

Answer 18

Dolan et al found a positive correlation between testosterone and aggression in 60 offenders in maximum security prisons.

Question 19

What hormones link to female aggression?

Answer 19

Progesterone

Question 20

Strengths/Support of hormonal explanation
Mehta and Josephs

Answer 20

Mehta and Josephs
Measured changes in ppts testosterone levels before and after a competitive game they lost
73% experienced a rise and re challenged
22% fell

Question 21

Strength of hormonal approach

Answer 21

Lab Studies give good internal validity as there are fewer extraneous variables.

Question 22

Weaknesses of the hormonal approach

Answer 22

Reductionism/ Determisnim
Uses correlational research
Is comparative
Is socially sensitive