structure of the brain - explanation for aggression

Question 1

what is aggression

Answer 1

range of behaviours that may result in physical or physiological harm to ones self or others
can be verbal or physical

Question 2

what are the types of aggression?

Answer 2

person orientated
instrumental
reactive
sanctioned

Question 3

what is person orientated aggression?

Answer 3

when the goal is to harm others

Question 4

what is instrumental aggression?

Answer 4

obtain some kind of reward

Question 5

what is reactive aggression?

Answer 5

in response to a hostile situation

Question 6

what is sanctioned aggression?

Answer 6

permitted as overall outcomes is seen as justifiable

eg a war

Question 7

what are the three areas of the brain associated with aggression?

Answer 7

amygdala
prefrontal cortex
midbrain

Question 8

how can the midbrain explain aggression?

Answer 8

contains as area called the pariaqueductal grey matter (PAG) which links hypothalamus to the prefrontal cortex
it coordinates and integrates behaviour to perceived stressors
lesions in PAG in rats who increase aggression to males when just given birth

Question 9

what does the PAG link?

Answer 9

the hypothalamus to the prefrontal cortex

Question 10

what does the PAG do?

Answer 10

coordinates and integrates behaviour to perceived stressors

Question 11

how has the role of the PAG been shown?

Answer 11

it has been found that when females rats have a lesion in their PAG after giving birth they show increased aggression towards unfamiliar males

Question 12

how can the amygdala explain aggression?

Answer 12

it is the centre for emotion and motivation
integrates stimuli from senses which when combined give reactions to the environment including aggression
having a small amygdala in linked to aggression

Question 13

how the structure of amygdala linked to aggression?

Answer 13

smaller one

Question 14

what does the amydgdla integrate?

Answer 14

integrates stimuli from the senses that when combined give reactions to the environment

Question 15

how is the prefrontal cortex linked to aggression?

Answer 15

it is influential in governing social interactions and behaviour
anger is though to arise when lack of control occurs at the prefrontal cortex

Question 16

what does the prefrontal cortex govern?

Answer 16

social interactions and behaviour

Question 17

how does anger arise from the prefrontal cortex?

Answer 17

when there is a lack of control here

Question 18

where does offensice aggression occur?

Answer 18

at the medial hypothalamus

Question 19

where does defensive aggression occur?

Answer 19

at the dorsal hypothalamus

Question 20

where does predatory aggression occur?

Answer 20

at the lateral hypothalamus

Question 21

what does the hypothalamus do?

Answer 21

it is linked to homeostasis through the regulation of hormones
linked to male aggression

Question 22

how is the hypothalamus linked to makes aggression?

Answer 22

abnormal activity in testosterone in males

Question 23

what did downer find?

Answer 23

monkeys had their optic nerve cut form and one amygdala removed
found if monkeys had a visual input to their amygdala they would react aggressively to humans but if it was cut they would remain placid

Question 24

case studies adding support?

Answer 24

phineas gage
severe damage to his prefrontal cortex due to an injury
showed a changed in personality and increase in aggression
‘animal’

Question 25

problems with case studies?

Answer 25

generalisability

individual differences

Question 26

hw does raine link?

Answer 26

he found much lower activity in the prefrontal cortex in murderers

Question 27

what did swantje find?

Answer 27

found that there was a correlation between to the size of the amygdala and self reported aggression
smaller amygdala linked to aggression

Question 28

how can techniques used to study it be a strength?

Answer 28

pet etc
credible
reliable

Question 29

research done on animals?

Answer 29

can’t do it on humans

generalisability