6.1.1 - Amygdala

Question 1

A01

Answer 1

• PFC regulates the responses
• Amygdala hijack occurs when the response to stimuli generated by the amygdala bypasses the PFC so it can’t control or filter it
• Angry response aims to destroy threat or overcome it
• E.g. throwing phone when having a convocation not going your way
• Stimulated when perceived threat appears
• If overstimulated can lead to irrational decisions and impulsivity

Question 2

Strength

Answer 2

Charles Whitman
- Tumour pressing on amygdala
- Impulsive
- Can’t regulate emotions
- Mass shooter

Question 3

Weakness

Answer 3

Criticism
- Might be due to other factors
- Abused by father
- Personal stress (own marriage falling apart)

Question 4

Weakness

Answer 4

Criticism
- Case studies lack generalisability because they’re so individualised and about saucy a specific person and scenario
- Lack credibility

Question 5

AO1

Answer 5

• Left linked to positive/negative emotions and consequences
• Recognising facial expressions
• Due to the dopamine receptors
• E.g. rewards and punishments
• Left side is damaged, they don’t understand consequences

Question 6

Strength

Answer 6

Kiel
- Removal of temporal lobe (where amygdala is)
- Reduction of anti social behaviour including violence
- Reduce recidivism as amygdalatomies allow control over emotions

Question 7

Weakness

Answer 7

Terzian and Ore
- Removing temporal lobes has an impact on the way people behave
- Removal of a mans temporal lobe lead to loss of facial recognition and loss of response to emotions

Question 8

Fear Conditioning

Answer 8

• Amygdala is essential in fear conditioning
• Understanding association between defensive behaviour and emotions such as fear
• Creates fear Pavlovian associations
• Lack of activity can lead to impulsive behaviour
• If overstimulated fight or flight may cause aggressiveness

Question 9

Strength

Answer 9

Yu Gao
- 1,800 3 year olds followed up at 23
- Those who failed to show fear conditioning at 3 had a criminal history by 23
- Deficits in amygdala can predict criminal behaviour

Question 10

Weakness

Answer 10

Criticism
- Could be crime causing amygdala damage not amygdala damage causing crime
- In order to find this out more research would need to be done specifically longitudinal

Question 11

AO1

Answer 11

• Right links to processes fear stimuli to give a response
• Linked to negative emotions like fear and sadness
• Linked with physical reaction

Question 12

Strength

Answer 12

Raine et al
- 41 offenders pleading NGRI compared to control
- Murderers have lower levels of glucose in the left amygdala and greater in the right

Question 13

Weakness

Answer 13

Criticism
- No cause and effect shown
- Can’t control the backgrounds such as home environment of criminals
- Incomplete