Year 2 - Aggression

Question 1

what is the limbic system?

Answer 1

the septal area, hypothalamus, fornix, amygdala, parts of the hippocampus and the thalmus

Question 2

which structure of the limbic system has research evidence to support its role as the most important in aggression?

Answer 2

amygdala, the ultimatum game found that an aggressive reaction to social provocation caused greater heightened activity in the amygdala

Question 3

What is thought to be the role of serotonin in aggression?

Answer 3

Normal levels of seratonin in the orbitofrontal cortex are associated with a greater degree of behavioural self control

Question 4

What is thought to be the main hormonal mechanisms in aggression?

Answer 4

Testosterone - since men are often more aggressive than females and testosterone is an androgen responsible for masculine development. It has also been found that there is a positive correlation between testosterone levels and aggressive behaviours

Question 5

Evaluate new mechanisms in aggression. (Two)

Answer 5

• amygdala appears to function in tandem with the orbitofrontal cortex which isn’t part of the limbic system
• drugs that increase serotonin activity also reduce levels of aggressive behaviour suggesting that aggression is not only caused by neural mechanisms

Question 6

Evaluate hormonal mechanisms in aggression (2)

Answer 6

• testosterone levels change rapidly during the course of the day, especially in response to social interactions related to status such as a loss of power
• research evidence suggests that the combined activity of testosterone and cortisol may be a better predictor of human aggression

Question 7

what have twin studies shown about genetic factors in aggression?

Answer 7

Research has shown that on average 50% concordance rate or shown in MZ twins for physical violence and only 19% for DZ twins

Question 8

What have adoption studies shown about genetic factors in aggression?

Answer 8

I meta analysis of adoption studies of direct aggression and antisocial behaviour found that genetic influences accounted for around 41% of variance in aggression

Question 9

What is the MAOA gene?

Answer 9

The gene responsible for the activity of the enzyme monoamine oxidase in the brain. The low activity variant of the gene is closely associated with aggressive behaviour.

Question 10

How might the MAOA gene have an affect on aggression?

Answer 10

Dysfunction in the operation of this gene may lead to abnormal activity in the MAOA enzyme which in turn affects level of serotonin in the brain. Low levels of MAOA activity in areas the brain associated with aggressive behaviour had been linked to increased aggression.

Question 11

What evidence is there to suggest that genes and environment interact in aggression?

Answer 11

A study found an association between higher levels of antisocial aggression and low activity of the gene variant in males however this is also the case in those who experience significant trauma during the first 15 years of life.

Question 12

Evaluate genetic factors in aggression (five)

Answer 12

• Difficulty in isolating genetic factors from environmental factors such as in twin studies
• multiple genetic influence make it hard to pin down a single genetic factor involved in aggression
• research methodology relies on self-report and direct observations which can be subjective or unreliable
• research support from animal studies for the role of the MAOA gene
• human research shows men with high activity variance of the MAOA gene or more pro social and cooperative

Question 13

What is the ethological explanation?

Answer 13

An explanation that seeks to understand the innate behaviour of animals including humans by studying them in their natural environment.

Question 14

What is innate releasing mechanism?

Answer 14

A biological structure or process which is activated by an external stimulus that in turn triggers a fixed action pattern

Question 15

What is a fixed action pattern?

Answer 15

The sequence of stereotyped preprogrammed behaviours triggered by an innate releasing mechanism

Question 16

What is the Ethological explanation for aggression?

Answer 16

Suggests that the main function of aggressive behaviour is adaptive and beneficial for survival because it causes members of the same species to spread out and reduces competition.

Question 17

What was suggested by ritualistic aggression?

Answer 17

That much aggression is simply foreshow and ends with a ritual appeasement displays which indicate defeat and inhibit further aggressive behaviour

Question 18

What are the six main features of a fixed action pattern?

Answer 18

– Stereotyped or relatively on changing sequences of behaviours
– Universal
– Unaffected by learning
– Ballistic, once the behaviour is triggered it follows in an optical course
– Single purpose behaviour only occurs in a specific situation
– Response is identifiable.

Question 19

Outline the study conducted using mail sticklebacks which showed aggressive behaviours in response to stimulus.

Answer 19

Mail sticklebacks were placed in thanks and presented with wooden models of sticklebacks of different shapes
– They found that regardless of shape if the model had a red spot the stickleback males would aggressively display an even attack

Question 20

Evaluate the ethological explanation of aggression

Answer 20

– Supporting evidence shows that certain genes are so stated with aggressive behaviour and animals suggesting an innate basis
– There is evidence that aggressive behaviour is more common in some human cultures than others
– Evidence against ritualistic aggression, mail chimp’s from one community was observed systematically slaughtering members of another group this is not adaptive
– The sequences of events that appear to be fixed and I’m changing or in fact greatly influenced by environmental factors and learning experience
– Unjustified generalisation to humans from animal studies

Question 21

What are the two main evolutionary explanations of human aggression?

Answer 21

– Evolutionary explanation of sexual jealousy

– Evolutionary exclamation of bullying

Question 22

Outline the evolutionary explanation of sexual jealousy

Answer 22

Males to display more strongly aggressive strategies towards keeping their partners from strain to avoid cuckoldry. Mate retention strategies are linked to violence and even intimate partner violence.

Question 23

State to mate retention strategies employed by males

Answer 23

– Direct guarding import mail vigilance

– Negative inducements such as issuing threats of the consequences

Question 24

What does a study into intimate partner violence find

Answer 24

A strongly positive correlation between men’s reports of that mate retention behaviour and women’s reports of their partners physical violence on questionnaires

Question 25

Outline the evolutionary explanation of bullying

Answer 25

Suggests that our ancestors use bullying as an adaptive strategy to increase the chances of survival by promoting their own health and creating opportunities for reproduction. The traits associated with bullying behaviour are also traits seen as most attractive to the opposite sex which means that these traits have been naturally selected.

Question 26

Evaluate evolutionary explanations of human aggression

Answer 26

– Research support for aggression and sexual jealousy demonstrating mate retention strategies are associated with sexual jealousy and aggression
– Evolutionary exclamations account for gender differences since it is observable that males engage more often in aggressive acts than females
– Real life applications, creating an evolutionary understanding of bullying can help advise more affective anti-bullying interventions
– Cultural differences in aggression, some cultures see aggressive behaviour as very negative
– Methodological issues, it is extremely difficult to test hypotheses about evolution of behaviours, we can only show correlations

Question 27

What is the frustration aggression hypothesis?

Answer 27

A hypothesis of aggression that suggests aggression is always caused by frustration. It is based upon the psychodynamic concepts of catharsis. It also suggests that aggression is deflected onto an alternative one that is more abstract or weaker than ourselves.

Question 28

Outline research into the frustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 28

Geen
– Students brackets mail were given the task of completing a jigsaw puzzle and and their individual frustration level was manipulated.
– The next part of the study involved the participants giving electric shocks to the Confederate when they made a mistake on another task
– They found that insulted participants gave the strongest shocks on average followed by the interfered group

Question 29

Research into environmental cues

Answer 29

Berkowitz
– Arranged students to be given electric shocks in a laboratory situation creating anger and frustration allowed the individuals to turn the tables and give electric shocks to the Confederate who was shocking them
– They found that the number of shocks given depended on the presence or absence of weapons in the lab

Question 30

Evaluate the frustration aggression hypothesis

Answer 30

– Research support from a meta-analysis of displaced aggression. Researchers concluded that displaced aggression is a reliable phenomenon
- is aggression cathartic? Research showed that participants who vented that under repeatedly hitting a punch bag actually became more angry
-Berkowitz argues that frustration is one of many aversive stimuli to create negative feelings and so aggression
– Different kinds of frustration have different effects. Research showed that unjustified frustration produced the most aggression
– Real life application Berkowitz’s argument has featured In the gun control debate in America.

Question 31

How is social learning theory applied to human aggression?

Answer 31

Through the acknowledgement that aggression can be learned directly through mechanisms of operant conditioning or observational learning known as social learning.

Question 32

How much aggression be learnt by vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 32

If the model is aggressive behaviour is rewarded and a child learns that aggression can we effective in getting what they want. This is known as vicarious reinforcement , and it makes it more likely that the observing child will imitate the models aggressive behaviour.

Question 33

What is self efficacy with regards to aggression?

Answer 33

The extent to which we believe our own actions will achieve a desired goal. Therefore our confidence in our ability to be aggressive grows as we learn that aggression can bring rewards

Question 34

Outline research into social learning theory of aggression

Answer 34

Bandura’s bono doll study
– Without being in such to do so many children imitate of the Pattaya 13 performed by the model physically and verbally, and the closeness of the imitation was very remarkably close

Question 35

Evaluate the social learning theory as an explanation of human aggression

Answer 35

– Supporting research most aggressive boys form friendships with other aggressive boys so these members gain reinforcement from the Awards of aggression and the approval of the rest of the group
– Does not explain all aggression cold blooded aggression or proactive is explained by social learning theory however we actively aggressive children use aggression to retaliate in the heat of the moment which is not supportive of SLT
– Practical applications of SLT include using non-aggressive models to have a positive impact on aggression levels
– Real life applications, media portrayals of aggressive behaviour can be powerful influence on the child aggressive behaviour, Therefore reducing the amount of aggressive models in media reduces aggression
– Different cultures have different norms about which behaviours should be reinforced, many cultures discipline children for displaying aggression

Question 36

What is deindividuation?

Answer 36

Psychological state in which an individual loses their personal identity and takes on the identity of the social group.

Question 37

Outline crowd behaviour and deindividuation as an exclamation of aggression.

Answer 37

When individuals become part of the crowd they become deindividualised. Meaning they lose restraint and have freedom to behave in ways they wouldn’t otherwise contemplate, and responsibility becomes shared throughout the crowd.

Question 38

How does deindividuation lead to aggression?

Answer 38

Zimbardo suggests that when we enter a deindividuated state we stopped monitoring and regulating our own behaviour. A major factor is anonymity because we feel we are a small and an identified part of a faceless crowd

Question 39

How do the consequences of anonymity become easier to obtain in a crowd

Answer 39

– Private self awareness concern is how we pay attention to our own feelings and behaviour, this is reduced when we are part of a crowd
– Public self awareness refers to how much we care about what others think about behaviour which is also reduced when we were in a crowd

Question 40

Evaluate deindividuation as an explanation of aggression

Answer 40

-research support for deindividuation shows a strong correlation between anonymity and sending positive threatening or hostile messages
– Lack of support, some research studies show that deindividuation does not always lead to aggression
– D individuation may also be linked to pro social behaviour as demonstrated in the study showing that normative cues in a situation determine which is most likely to occur
- de individuation theory can help us understand across behaviour in online gaming services or in anonymous group chats
– do you individuation and self-awareness being reduced to not specifically increase aggression, instead they lead to the behaviour that conforms to local social groups

Question 41

What is the importation model of aggression in prisons?

Answer 41

It argues that prisons are not completely insulated from the happenings of every day life outside and present inmates bring with them a subculture of typical criminality. Suggests that aggression is the product of individual characteristics of inmates and not the prison environment itself

Question 42

Outline the deprivation model as part of a situational explanation of aggression in institutions

Answer 42

The deprivation model place of the causes of institutional aggression within the present environment itself making it a situational explanation. Harsh prison conditions or stress of inmates who cope by resorting to aggressive behaviour

Question 43

Evaluate the importation model as a dispositional explanation of aggression (2)

Answer 43

• research support, study found that the difference between aggression in low security and high security prisoners was not significant
  – An alternative explanation suggests that the importation model is an in adequate exclamation of aggression as it ignores the role of prison officials and factors relating to the running of prisons

Question 44

Evaluate

deprivation model as a situational explanation for aggression (2)

Answer 44

– Supporting evidence, individual level factors are reliable predictors of aggression independent of the present environment
– Contradictory research, the deprivation model suggests that lack of freedom and heterosexual contact should lead to high levels ofaggression in prisons however this is not supported by evidence, suggesting that conjugal visit do not produce aggressive behaviour

Question 45

Outline and experimental study into the role of computer games and aggression.

Answer 45

• students played either a violent computer games or non-violent computer game for 10 minutes before carrying out a standard laboratory measure of aggression
  – Those who played the violent Game selected significantly higher noise levels (suggesting higher levels of aggression)

Question 46

Outline the correlational studies used to discover the effects of computer games and aggression.

Answer 46

-using structured interviews data was gathered on several measures of aggression and violence computer game playing
– Found that offenders aggressive behaviour was significantly correlated with how often they played violent computer games

Question 47

Outline longitudinal studies into the effects of computer games on aggression

Answer 47

– Studied over 1000 people born in New Zealand and measured the TV viewing hours up to 26 years of age
– Found that time watching TV was reliable predictor of aggressive behaviour in adulthood (measured in terms of convictions)

Question 48

Outline metanalysis research into the effects of video games on aggression

Answer 48

-found that exposure to violent computer games was associated with increases in aggressive behaviours, thoughts, and feelings. This finding was true for both males and females and across collectivist and individualistic cultures.

Question 49

Evaluate the effects of computer games on aggression

Answer 49

– Experimental studies show measures of aggression in a lab which is artificial and I’m realistic
– Correlational studies do not control variables and there is no random allocation
– Longitudinal studies of honourable to the effects of confounding variable is as many other sources of aggression interact with the media over a period of time
– Certain video games may have a lower amount of violence than others but still be classed as violent video games
– Publication bias due to a tendency in the scientific researchCommunity to only published findings that a statistically significant

Question 50

What is desensitisation with regards to aggressive behaviour

Answer 50

When children in particular repeatedly view aggression on TV or play violent computer games, they become habituated to its affects therefore meaning the stimulus has a reduced impact

Question 51

What is disinhibition

Answer 51

Normal social constraints against certain behaviours can be weakened by environmental triggers. These behaviours then are temporarily socially acceptable and therefore more likely.

Question 52

What is cognitive priming?

Answer 52

Violent images provide us with ready-made scripts about aggression which are stored in memory and triggered when we perceive aggressive cues in a situation

Question 53

Evaluate the roles of desensitisation, disinhibition and cognitive priming

Answer 53

– Research support for desensitisation, showed that Bitch will do you as a finalist media showed lower levels of arousal as they watched violent film clips
– Research support for disinhibition, found that participants who sort of film picturing aggression as vengeance gave more fake electric shocks of long duration
-practical application of cognitive priming, people who habitually watch violent media are more likely to interpret queues of aggressive and therefore resort to violence solutions
– Alternative exclamation for desensitisation, one study failed to find a link between media viewing, the work arousal and provoked aggression
– Explaining cartoon violence, disinhibition helps to explain aggressive responses to cartoon violence