Pucilowski Et Al Study - HL (bio)

Question 1

Pucilowski Et Al Study - HL (bio)

Aim

Answer 1

To determine the role of serotonin in aggression in rats through injections of both serotonin and a serotonin agonist (quipazine).

Question 2

Pucilowski Et Al Study - HL (bio)

Procedure

Answer 2

• Sample was screened to include “killer rats” only - rats who would attack/kill a mouse in their cage within 10 minutes (known as muricide)
• “Killer rats” had implants made into their brains so that later injections could be directly made to my amygdala
• 10 days after the implant was made, they began injecting the rats
  
  • Three conditions: serotonin, quipazine (serotonin antagonist), placebo
• Ten minutes after the injection, a mouse was placed in their cage to test their matricidal tendencies (mouse was removed after a maximum of 5 minutes)
• After 60 minutes, they are tested again

Question 3

Pucilowski Et Al Study - HL (bio)

Findings

Answer 3

• 10 minutes after the injection:
  
  • Quipazine (the serotonin agonist) blocked the killing response
  • High dose of serotonin decreases the killing response
• 60 minutes after the injection:
  
  • No significant difference between groups, all showed muricidal tendency
• Supports the hypothesis that serotonin has a link to aggression as rats who had an increase in serotonin, whether through an antagonist or synthetic serotonin showed less aggressive behavior

Question 4

Pucilowski Et Al Study - HL (bio)

Strengths

Answer 4

• placebo used: increases internal validity

Question 5

Pucilowski Et Al Study - HL (bio)

Limitations

Answer 5

• Sampling bias: (only “killer rats” were used)
• Likely not a direct correlation, serotonin may just reduce anxiety and therefore decrease aggression
• Questions about extent to which findings can be generalized to human

Question 6

Pucilowski Et Al Study - HL (bio)

Ethical Considerations

Answer 6

• use of animal research

Question 7

Pucilowski Et Al Study - HL (bio)

Research Method

Answer 7

Lab Experiment