The Hormonal Explanation Of Aggression

Question 1

Name the glands where hormones are secreted

Answer 1

Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus
Adrenal Gland
Pancreas
Males- Testicle
Females- Ovary

Question 2

What is the difference between Hormones and Neurotransmitters?

Answer 2

Hormones
-part of the endocrine system
-secreted into the blood
-take affect within minutes/hours or several days

Neurotransmitters
-part of the CNS
-travel within a synapse between neurones
-instantaneous effect
-it is an electrical impulse that is passed between neurones which facilitate certain functions- such as movement and mood

Question 3

What is Testosterone?

Answer 3

Hormone that regulates sex drive, bone mass, fat distribution, muscle size and red blood cell production.

Question 4

What is cortisol?

Answer 4

Cortisol is a hormone released after periods of long-term chronic stress, helping to metabolise glucose that the body has used to cope with the stressors.

Question 5

Describe the influence that cortisol has on aggression

Answer 5

Cortisol is released after periods of chronic stress, this is because it is used to metabolise glucose that the body has used to cope with stressors.
Aggression therefore can increase if cortisol levels are too low as the Hypothalamus is not stimulated.
Aggression can also increase if cortisol levels are too high as the fight or flight response is activated.

Question 6

Describe the influence testosterone has on aggression

Answer 6

Decreases sensitivity to punishment and fear activating an emotional response in the amygdala known as the fight or flight response.

Question 7

Why are there gender differences in aggression?

Answer 7

Testosterone is higher in males so they will have less fear of punishment when the fight or flight response is activated resulting in the fight response.

Question 8

Evaluate the hormonal explanation of aggression.

Answer 8

Feasibility- Strength
Dabbs et al.
Measured levels of testosterone in saliva of 89 male prisoners involved in a violent and non violent crimes.
The levels of testosterone was higher in those involved in violent crimes- 10/11 prisoners who had committed violent crimes had high levels of testosterone.
Those with low levels of testosterone had a 9/11 chance of committing a non violent crime.
Positive correlation between testosterone and aggression.

Usefulness- Strength
Transitioning- understand the effects of testosterone on aggression
Implement strategies and interventions to reduce risk.
Violence- cause of violence is linked to testosterone- therefore the risk of the individual can be identified.

Different theory- Psychodynamic Theory

Explanation- Weakness
1/11 prisoners did not have high levels of testosterone but still committed a violent crime
Additionally, levels of testosterone before the violence are unknown- unsure if it was as high before the crime was committed. (Measuring not manipulating)

Question 9

Describe the hormonal explanation of aggression (3 marks)

Answer 9

The two hormones that have been linked to aggression are testosterone and cortisol. Testosterone is responsible for male characteristics, muscle production and sex drive. Cortisol is released when chronic stress is experienced as it speeds up glucose metabolism. When testosterone is too high, individuals are desensitised to punishment and fear, if this is in combination with high cortisol, individuals are more likely to be aggressive as they will be in fight or flight.