hormonal mechanisms in aggression,

Question 1

hormonal mechanisms in aggression:
Testosterone

Answer 1

Testosterone is the sex hormone (androgen) that controls the development of male sex characteristics. It has a role in regulating social behaviour by influencing parts of the brain responsible for emotion and decision-making. Increased levels of aggression are thought to be due to higher levels of testosterone.

As testosterone levels are around 8 times higher in men than in women this suggests that testosterone in males is the reason for observed sex differences in levels of aggression between genders. High levels of testosterone lower activity in the orbitofrontal cortex meaning that in an emotional situation there is more likely to be an aggressive response. High levels can also reduce serotonin, leading to aggression.

Question 2

hormonal mechanisms evaluation

Answer 2

Wagner (1979) castrated mice and aggression levels went down, thus providing support to the theory that testosterone is implicated in aggression. He then injected them with testosterone aggressive behaviour increased, suggesting that high levels of testosterone cause aggressive behaviour.

-Wagner study not generalisable as animal study

This study is backed up by Van Goozen (1997) who conducted a natural experiment on transgender sex-change patients. This is one of the few cases where research was actually carried out on humans.
Findings revealed testosterone levels governed aggression. Males receiving testosterone suppressants became less aggressive. Females receiving testosterone became more aggressive.