Studies

Question 1

Aim of Graftmen et al.?

Answer 1

To determine the effect that damage to the PFC has on aggression

Question 2

Aim of Bechara et al.?

Answer 2

To determine the effect that damage to the vmPFC has on the dual thinking model

Question 3

Aim of Goetz et al.?

Answer 3

To determine the effect of testosterone when perceiving social threats

Question 4

Aim of Albert et al.?

Answer 4

To see the effect of testosterone on social behaviour in rats

Question 5

Procedure of Graftmen et al.?

Answer 5

Two groups of participants
One control group, one group with brain damage
Family, friends and participants filled out forms on their aggression
Brain scans confirmed brain damage

Question 6

Procedure of Bechara et al.?

Answer 6

Two groups of participants, group with lesions to the vmPFC and control group
They played a gambling game in which they all started with 2000 points
The goal was to end with the most points possible after picking 100 times from 4 different decks
A and C low risk, low reward (greater overall)
B and D high risk high reward (less overall)

Question 7

Procedure of Goetz et al.?

Answer 7

Sixteen healthy male participants received an injection that brought their testosterone to a baseline level.
On one day they were given an injection of testosterone and then their brain activity was measured as they were shown faces displaying different emotions.
On another day they were given a placebo and their brain activity was measured in the same way

Question 8

Procedure of Albert et al.?

Answer 8

4 groups of rats
One group is castrated
One group is castrated and a placebo rod is inserted
One group is castrated and a rod full of testosterone is inserted
One group is placebo castrated
The rats are then observed

Question 9

Results of Grafmen et al.?

Answer 9

The participants with damage in their prefrontal cortex were reported to demonstrate more aggressive behaviours than the control participants

Question 10

Results of Bechara et al.?

Answer 10

Condition with lesions to the vmPFC were more likely to choose decks B and D than the control group was. The control group was more likely to pick decks A and C.

Question 11

Results of Goetz et al.?

Answer 11

Significant activation in the amygdala and hypothalamus after testosterone injecting when viewing angry faces. Reaction was not as pronounced in placebo or control injection.

Question 12

Results of Albert et al.?

Answer 12

All rats involved became less aggressive and more submissive towards the other control rats excluding the group that was castrated but received substitute testosterone.

Question 13

What are alternate explanations for Grafmen et al.?

Answer 13

The brain damaged participants were all Vietnam veterans. Trauma caused by their experiences there could be the cause of the aggressive behaviour they display.

Question 14

What are alternate explanations for Bechara et al.?

Answer 14

Lesions to the vmPFC are not naturally occurring. An accident causing an injury there is likely to cause trauma. Trauma from the accident could cause the impulsive thinking they display. An accident that damages the vmPFC is also likely to injure other areas of the brain. If other areas are damaged, the vmPFC is not necessarily responsible for impulse control.

Question 15

What are alternate explanations for Goetz et al.?

Answer 15

The testosterone is causing the release of a different neurotransmitter resulting in the response from the amygdala and hypothalamus.

Question 16

What are alternate explanations for Albert et al.?

Answer 16

The change in behaviour could be a result of the rats losing their penises, or the perception they have of whether they have a penis. They could base that perception on whether they are generating testosterone from their testicles. This explains the testosterone rod group not altering their behaviour.