Neural and Hormonal Mechanisms Evaluation

Question 1

LIMITATION: Limbic system explanation excludes other possibilities

Answer 1

• Amygdala functions in tandem with the orbitofrontal cortex to maintain self control and inhibit aggression.
• Coccarro showed OFC activity is reduced in patients with psychiatric disorders that feature aggression.
• Regulation of the limbic system cannot be explained by the limbic system alone - highly complex.

Question 2

STRENGTH: Supporting evidence for role of serotonin

Answer 2

• Research shows drugs that increase in serotonin activity reduce levels of aggressive behaviour
• Berman found that participants given a serotonin enhancing drug gave fewer and less intense electric shocks to a confederate than people in a placebo group
• This was only true of participants who had a prior history of aggressive behaviour, but shows evidence of a link between serotonin and aggression going beyond correlational findings

Question 3

LIMITATION: evidence for role of testosterone in humans is mixed

Answer 3

• Some research shows that some hormones other than testosterone are significantly involved in aggression
• Carre and Mehta dual hormone hypothesis claims high testosterone leads to aggression only when cortisol is low - high cortisol blocks aggressive behaviour.
• Combined activity of testosterone is better predictor of human aggression than aggression alone