Strengths and weaknesses

Question 1

a strength of the role of the CNS as an explanation of aggression (jovanovic)

Answer 1

PET scanning used to study serotonin system of women with PMDD - found that women without pMDD did show differences in synaptic receptors and provided evidence that synaptic transmission relates to mood, including depression

Question 2

a strength of the role of the CNS as an explanation of aggression (bark bark)

Answer 2

animal studies as well as human brain scanning which has scientific credibility and reliability as more than one person can look at the scans to check results

Question 3

weakness of the role of the CNS as an explanation of aggression (Allen)

Answer 3

Allen and Stevens (1994) found that synaptic transmission regarding hippocampal neurones unreliable as less than half neurotransmitters arrive from pre-synaptic neurone and picked up in the post-SN. This means there are many factors at work in synaptic transmission

Question 4

weakness of the role of the CNS as an explanation of aggression (lesions)

Answer 4

evidence of synaptic transmission has come from animal studies where lesions can be made - this is difficult to generalise completely to humans as human brains involve more emotional functioning

Question 5

what is a weakness of constant use of drugs? How does this effect neurotransmitters like dopamine?

Answer 5

Repeated use of drugs causes further reduction of dopamine production which makes the person physically dependant on the drug to avoid the negative experience of withdrawal.

Question 6

2 strengths of the effects of drugs on the transmission process in the CNS

Answer 6

• Olds and Milner found pleasure centre in brain through studies on recreational drug use creating excess dopamine to give ‘high’ = scientific credibility
• observation of those who take drugs gives credibility = at first users experience great pleasure but then become addicted and need more to experience the same effects

Question 7

weaknesses of the effect of drugs on the transmission process in CNS (x3)

Answer 7

• brain is complex, has more than one reward pathway = more than one brain region involved. So, having one explanation for the mode of action of recreational drugs seems simplistic
• its hard to study the mode of action of recreational drugs at the synapse - brain scanning has helped but they still can’t get to the level of synaptic transmission
• animal studies are used, where lesioning and ablation can be carried out but there may be differences in the functioning of animal brains that means the findings can’t be applied to humans

Question 8

strength of brain structure linking to aggression (genetics)

Answer 8

genetic blue print builds our brain structures = ppl with genetic blueprint for aggression would have brains that predispose them to aggressive behaviours - explains why males across all cultures tend to be more physically aggressive than females

Question 9

strength of brain structure linking to aggression (case study)

Answer 9

Phineas Gage

Question 10

weakness of brain structure linking to aggression (scanning)

Answer 10

scanning is reliable but validity is weak as the scan takes place while someone is processing info doing an artificial task which may not reflect everyday functioning

Question 11

weakness of brain structure linking to aggression (reductionist)

Answer 11

there are cultures that show much higher than average aggression and other cultures much lower - this is unlikely due to be differences in brain structures but very likely cause by social learning

Question 12

weakness of brain structure linking to aggression (bio determinism)

Answer 12

idea that our biology determines our behaviour suggests ppl lack free will in the choices they make e.g. Raine et al NGRI = used as a defence for violence and can provide excuse for violent offenders in prisons

Question 13

a strength of theory of natural selection

Answer 13

Darwins observation of finches on Galapagos islands

Question 14

a weakness of theory of natural selection

Answer 14

creationism - everything is created by God and did not evolve through mechanisms of natural selection

Question 15

weakness of Darwins observations

Answer 15

he focuses on specific aspects of behaviour but ignored the whole situation e.g. Darwin looked at inherited behaviour but behaviour can also be learned by association and from observation e.g. by parents

Question 16

Lorenz (1966)

Answer 16

suggested aggression is an evolved trait, particularly in males, to fight over limited resources.

Question 17

strength of evolution as explanation of aggression

Answer 17

Darwins theory - which used scientific methods so has scientific credibility

Question 18

weakness of evolution as explanation of aggression (dollard)

Answer 18

frustration aggression theory - can’t get mad at a situation e.g. limited resources so inflict it on someone else

Question 19

weakness of evolution as explanation of aggression (counterproductive)

Answer 19

aggressive person might protect offspring but may put themselves at risk by attracting aggression in others = counter productive in terms of evolution

Question 20

Strength of hormones as explanation for aggression (dabs)

Answer 20

measured levels of testosterone in 89 male prisoners saliva test - found testosterone higher in violent offenders than non violent

Question 21

counter to Duke et al’s serotonin aggression hypothesis

Answer 21

meta-analysis shoes there are not always definite conclusions showing correlation e.g. they found environmental and personality factors affect brain functioning

Question 22

weakness of hormones in explaining aggression (correlational data)

Answer 22

cause and effect conclusions can’t be drawn e.g. its not known whether a variable other than stress, cortisol and aggression causes both stress and aggression

Question 23

weaknesses of hormones in explaining aggression (environment)

Answer 23

animal studies not generalisable as issues in differences in motivation AS studies suggest hormones and aggression are linked, but the environment can lead to the release of hormones and aggression so the study of animals are likely to be an unnatural environment

Question 24

evidence to show that evolution has occurred within males in terms of aggression (why its higher in males)

Answer 24

male brains do have minor differences in brain structure compared to females, partially due to much higher exposure to testosterone before and after birth - these differences could link to typical make attributes such as aggression,

Question 25

Bechara and van der Linden (2005) - what the hell did they find out?

Answer 25

reviewed studies at the prefrontal cortex and confirmed area regulates behaviour. Damage to P.C means someone might focus on the present and not be able to plan in the long term = therefore someone may not be able to control aggressive reactions.

Question 26

Hermans et al (1993)

Answer 26

showed that electrical stimulation of the hypothalamus gives aggression

Question 27

Delville et al (1997)

Answer 27

showed the hypothalamus has receptors that interact with serotonin that determine aggression levels = low levels of this causes aggression