Structures

Question 1

Brain structure

Answer 1

Localisation
Identifies limbic system and pre frontal cortex
E.g. Phineas Gage
Therefore, brain scans to predict

Pre frontal cortex
E.g. Raine
Therefore, could lead to treatments

Limbic system - amygdala
E.g. Flynn
However, Flynn on animals
However, Raine found on humans

Question 2

Evolution

Answer 2

Definition of evolution
Accounts for aggression must be evolved response
Natural selection - aggression = desirable
E.g. Gomez

Sexual selection - survival of offspring
E.g. Harvey

EEA - why developed useful
But applications limited
E.g. Cannot change evolution
Suggests post hoc
Therefore no strategy to reduce aggression
Good to further understanding bad to reduce it

Question 3

Hormones

Answer 3

Definition of a hormone
Glands and endocrine system
Testosterone directly linked
E.g. Dabbs

Direct - organising effect on the brain
Illustrative example - amygdala

Indirect effect - synaptic transmission of serotonin
Testable
E.g. Brain scans / blood analysis
Higher validity
However, can’t measure during aggressive act hard to identify causal relationship

Conc -> unethical to make people be aggressive

Question 4

Freud

Answer 4

Three parts of personality
Lack testability
E.g. Illustrative example

Abnormal development - overactive ID, underdeveloped SUPEREGO
Reductionist - slave to psyche
E.g. Reducing behaviour down to unconscious conflicts

Despite this useful applications
E.g. CBT