The structure of the brain and aggression

Question 1

Evaluate brains influence on aggression

3

Answer 1

Pardini et al., 56males in a study 20yrs ago (6or7yrs) who have been consistently aggro/involved in crim violence. Using fMRI, found -correlation between lvl of aggro/amygdala volume. Predictive validity

Exp research make people aggro. Alternative is animal studies, raises other practical and ethical issues. Impossible to establish if a structure is cause or effect of aggro behaviour

Sero agonist drugs (serenics) have been found to have sig anti-aggro effects in animals/humans (Tuinier)

Question 2

What is the key structure involved in aggression and what is it’s role?
2

Answer 2

• Amygdala

- Interprets msgs from the thalamus as threating or not (fight/flight)

Question 3

What did Egger and Flynn find?

1

Answer 3

• Put cat in rats cage, ignored each other, when cats amygdala electrically stimulated immediately killed rat

Question 4

What did Coccaro et al. find?

2

Answer 4

(tendency to outbursts of extreme aggro)

• IED ppt brains scanned while viewing images of faces
• IED = ^lvls of amygdala activity when view angry face

Question 5

What is the role of the orbitofrontal cortex?

2

Answer 5

• Role in higher cognitive function

- Involved in self-control, impulse reg and inhibition of aggro behaviours

Question 6

What is serotonin?

1

Answer 6

• NT with widespread inhibitory effects on transmission in brain

Question 7

What is the role of dopamine?

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Answer 7

• Involved in reg motivated behaviour + our experience of reward

Question 8

What did Seo et al. find?

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Answer 8

• Serotonin hypofunction stimulates dopamine hyperfunction

- Both are linked with impulsivity and aggro