the role of the central nervous system and neurotransmitters in explaining human behaviour

Question 1

Central nervous system - P1, A01

Answer 1

The CNS compromises the brain and the spinal cord. The brain processes incoming information from all senses.
the brain allows and is responsible for controlling behaviour.
Hypothalamus, amygdala and pre-frontal cortex are responsible for controlling aggression and the spinal cord connects the brain to the rest of the body and allows messages to be passed from the body to the brain and the brain to the body in order to obtain a response.

Question 2

Strength of the role of the central nervous system in explaining human aggression - brain scan evidence P1, A03

Answer 2

One strength of the role of the central nervous system to explain human aggression is that there is brain scan evidence shows us that the brain is responsible for aggression because certain brain activity or structures, such as the Amygdala, hypothalamus and the pre-frontal cortex, correlate with human aggression.
If an individual has a smaller amygdala, it can cause violent and more aggressive behaviour to be carried out. If the pre-frontal cortex is damaged, it can cause impulsivity which is immediately linked to aggression.
Therefore, this means that there is brain scanning evidence to show that parts of the brain have a role in explaining human behaviour and aggression.

Question 3

Amygdala - P2, A01

Answer 3

Brain structures are part of the central nervous system and are known to control behaviour.
The amygdala for example is one structure located in the temporal lobe of the brain and it is known to be the seat of aggression within the brain

Question 4

Strength of the role of the central nervous system in explaining human aggression - supporting evidence P2, A03

Answer 4

Evidence for the role of the amygdala causing human behaviour comes from Charles Whitman.
He murdered mum, wife and 14 other strangers before the police found him and killed him. It was found following his death that he had a brain tumour the size of a pecan nut pressing on his amygdala.
This provides evidence for the fact that the amygdala having a lesion or being damaged can lead to higher levels of aggression.

Question 5

COUNTER ARGUMENT TO Strength of the role of the central nervous system in explaining human aggression - brain scan evidence P1, A03

Answer 5

However, Charles Whitman grew up around guns and was aware of how to use them.
His dad was also abusive and aggressive and there is evidence from social learning theory that we learn from the influence and observation of others.
Therefore this means that even though there is evidence for the amygdala being responsible for his actions, he could have also been influenced by people around him while growing up so the aggression may have been caused by what he has learned from observing his role models.

Question 6

Neurones and synaptic gap - P3, A01

Answer 6

The central nervous system is made up of neurons which are electrochemical messengers that transmit nerve impulses across the synaptic gap during the process of synaptic transmission
Neurotransmitters in the brain have specific functions
E.g., Acetylcholine is found where a motor neurone meets a muscle, upon its release it cases the muscle to contract

Question 7

Strength of the role of the central nervous system in explaining human aggression - recreational drugs P3, A03

Answer 7

We know that neurons control behaviour because recreational drugs such as heroin bind to the same receptors as our endogenous opioids.
These receptors influence the likelihood that ion channels will open, which in certain cases reduces the excitability of neurons which can cause cognitive deficits and lead to diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Therefore, this means that neurons have a impact on human behaviour as neurons such as heroin and other recreational drugs can reduce neuron activity.