The structure of the brain and aggression Flashcards
3.1.3 The structure of the brain, different brain areas (e.g. pre-frontal cortex) and brain functioning as an explanation of aggression as a human behaviour.
What is the role of the pre-frontal cortex?
- Decision making
- Problem-solving
- Impulse control
What is the supporting evidence of the pre-frontal cortex being linked to aggression?
Raine et al:
Used PET scans to study NGRI murderers. They found greater activity in the amygdala and less in the pre-frontal cortex compared to the control group of non-murderers.
= Their abnormality leads to impulsivity and aggression.
What is the role of the amygdala?
- Perception of emotions
- Controlling aggression
What is the supporting evidence of the amygdala being linked to aggression?
Raine et al:
Found reduced activity in the left amygdala but greater activity in the right in murderers that plead NGRI.
= Their abnormality leads to a lack of fear of the consequences of being aggressive.
What is the role of the hypothalamus?
- Regulate hormone production
- Motivation behaviours (sex, hunger, thirst)
What is the role of serotonin in aggression?
Decreased serotonin leads to low self-control and more impulsive behaviours (aggression).
What is the role of dopamine in aggression?
Dopamine regulates motivated behaviours and serotonin.
How are serotonin and dopamine linked with aggression?
Dopamine regulates serotonin. Low serotonin activity causes dopamine overactivity, which is linked with aggression and impulsivity.
What is the supporting evidence of the structure of the brain and aggression?
Raine et al:
Studied 41 murderers’ NGRI and found that the structures in their brains had different metabolic activity than the control group of non-murderers. Eg:
Lower activity in the pre-frontal cortex
Lower in the left amygdala and higher in right
Lower in the right thalamus
What is the opposing evidence of the structure of the brain and aggression?
Research into the influences of aggression is correlational so it doesn’t show causation.
= It’simpossible to establish whether a particular structure is a cause/ effect of aggressive behaviour.
What is a different theory to the structure of brain and aggression?
- Evolution
- Psychodynamic Theory
