The Brain as an Explanation of Aggression Flashcards
What did the case of Phineas Gage study discover?
That damage to the frontal lobe may cause aggression
What is a lesion?
Damage to an area of the brain that causes it to die
What is stimulation?
Artificial activation (e.g. Olds and Milner with the rat)
Define aggression
Psychological/physiological expression of anger, showing forms of anti social behaviour
What is the role of the limbic system?
Self preservation/protection - e.g. fight or flight response
What is the amygdala the source of?
Aggressive impulses
What is the role of the hypothalamus?
Controls homeostasis and therefore hormones (predominantly testosterone)
What is the role of the pre-frontal cortex?
Controls emotions and regulates behaviour
What happens if someone has an under developed or damaged pre-frontal cortex?
They’re less able to control their behaviour
Give two pieces of supporting evidence for the brain as an explanation of aggression
Raine - NGRI group had higher activity in the amygdala and less activity in the PFC
Kluver-Bucy Syndrome - Monkeys with a removed temporal lobe (and therefore amygdada) became more tame than previously
Give two pieces of conflicting evidence for the brain as an explanation of aggression
Reductionist - Too simple and doesn’t take into account other theories
Animals aren’t the same as humans so results can’t be compared (KB syndrome)
Which three other theories can be used to explain aggression?
- Hormones
- Evolution
- Psychodynamic
Is the brain as an explanation of aggression useful?
Yes - Can explain individual differences
No - Determinist as it ignores free will
Is the brain as an explanation of aggression testable?
Yes - Brain scans are reliable and objective (not based on opinion)
No - Brains scans still need interpretation
