Aggression Flashcards
(151 cards)
1
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Neural explanations for aggression
A
Limbic system, serotonin, testosterone
2
Q
What is the limbic system
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Collection of structures that processes emotional responses like aggression
3
Q
3 main features of the limbic system
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Amygdala (linked to productin of aggressive behaviour), hypothalamus (role in integrating and expressing emotional responses, can trigger aggression as part of fight or flight), both communicate with orbitofrontal cortex (decision making which attempts to control aggression produced by limbic system)
4
Q
2 research supports for the limbic system as an explanation for aggression
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Egger and Flynn (1963), Sumer (2007)
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Q
Egger and Flynn (1963) study results
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Electricall stimulating an area of the hypothalamus would cause cats to show aggression towards a rat, you could stimulate and repress aggression based on which part of the amygdala you stimulated
6
Q
Egger and Flynn (1963) study conclusion
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Hypothalamus has a role in producing aggressive behaviour and different parts of the amygdala have different areas of the roles in regulating aggression
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Egger and Flynn (1963) study limitation
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Can’t be generalised as study was conducted on rats
8
Q
Sumer (2007) study premise
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Case study of 14 year old girl showing extreme aggressive behaviour and epileptic fits
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Sumer (2007) study results
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MRI scans showed a tumour pressing on her amygdala, after removal of tumour her aggression levels became normal
10
Q
Sumer (2007) study conclusion
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Suggests that tumour pressing on her amygdala was stimulating it and causing the aggressive behaviour, supports theory that amygdala and aggression is linked
11
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Sumer (2007) study limitation
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Case study so could have been other factors affecting aggressive - cant generalise it
12
Q
Serotonin as an explanation of aggression
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Inhibitory neurotransmitter, lack of serotonin in orbitofrontal cortex results in less self control over limbic system and aggressive impulses
13
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Evidence for lack of serotonin causing aggression
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Lower levels of 5-HIAA (biproduct of serotonin breakdown) in spinal fluid of more aggressive people
14
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Research support for serotonin as an explanation of aggression
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Passamonti (2012)
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Passamonti (2012) study methodology
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Randomised, double blind placebo, highly controlled so suggests highly valid results, however aggressive questionairre could be seen as not truly measuring aggression levels
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Passamonti (2012) study premise
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Acute tryptophan depletion - avoiding foods containing tryptophan (needed to produce serotonin) - to reduce serotonin, used fMRI to measure brains responses to seeing angry faces
17
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Passamonti (2012) study results
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Reduced communication between amygdala and frontal cortex when deprived of serotonin, participants also scored highly on aggression questionairre
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Passamonti (2012) study conclusion
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Lack of serotonin reduces frontal cortex’s ability to control aggressive impulses in the amygdala
19
Q
Testosterone
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Male sex hormone (androgen), controls development of male sex characteristics (8x higher in males than females), thought to be the reason for enhanced aggression levels in males than females
20
Q
Testosterone as an explanation of aggression
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High levels of testosterone in orbitofrontal corte reduces activity so less able to regulate aggressive impulses coming from limbic system, also increases activity in amygdala and reduces activity of serotonin, limits ability to calm aggressive impulses
21
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Research support for testosterone as an explanation of aggression
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Wagner (1980)
22
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Wagner (1980) study premise
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Measured aggression in mice by how often they bit a traget, found that males bit more than females
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Wagner (1980) study results
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Following castration, aggression difference between genders closed, restored when male mice were injected with testosterone, injections also increased female mice bite frequency
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Wagner (1980) study conclusion
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Level of testosterone hormone in body of the mice is directly connected aggression
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Issues and debates of neural and hormonal explanation for aggression
Biologically reductionist, biologically deterministic
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Limitation of the neural and hormonal explanation of aggression
Socialy sensitive
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Socialy sensitive as a limitation of the neural and hormonal explanation of aggression
Doesn't work with our justice system, suggests aggression is uncontrollable, removes autonomy
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Explanation of a strength of the neural and hormonal explanation of aggression
Highly controlled, biological measurements, increases validity
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Genetic factors in increased aggression
High levels of testosterone, low levels of serotonin, XYY chromosome, MAOA-L gene
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What can we study to look at genetic differences in aggression
Twins, families
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Research support comparing aggression in MZ and DZ twins
Coccaro (1997)
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Coccaro (1997) study
Compared MZ and DZ male twins, gound genetic differences accounted for differences in aggression
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Family studies exploring aggression
Explore link between biological relationship and concordance rate of aggression - genetically closer family members are more likely to share environments so hard to study only nature - adoption studies used
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Research support exploring aggression in adoptees
Mednick and Hutchings (1978)
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Mednick and Hutchings (1978) study
10.5% of Danish adoptees with non criminal bio fathers were criminals compared to 21.4% with criminal bio fathers
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Chromosome disorder that often results in increased aggression
Supermales - XYY - only affects males
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Phenotypes of the XYY chromosome
Taller, genetically more aggressive, low in empathy
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Limitations of research into the XYY chromosome
Early research flawed, XYY not over-represented in prison as theory suggests so now theory is completely rejected
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MAOA-L gene biological explanation for aggression
MAOA = enzyme that breaks down serotonin, low activity gene varient (MAOA-L) associated with aggression, results in low production of enzyme = high levels of serotonin
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MAOA-L gene further information
Nicknamed warrior gene, found in 1/3 of Western men, over 60% in some communities, not all men with it are aggressive, believed that aggression only occurs with a stressor
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research supports for the MAOA-L gene as an explanation for aggression
Brunner (1993), Stuart et al (2014)
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Brunner (1993) study premise
Case study on an extended family in Netherlands, males had a history of impulsive aggression and attempted rape
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Brunner (1993) study results
Males in family has low activity MAOA gene
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Brunner (1993) study conclusion
Suggests extreme levels of aggression can have a genetic origin that leads to a neurological abnormality
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Stuart et al (2014) study premise
Studies 97 men who has committed intimate partner violence
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Stuart et al (2014) study results
Genetic analysis found defective MAOA gene present in most physically and psychologically aggressive offenders
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Stuart et al (2014) study conclusions
Suggests MAOA-L has a role to play in expression of aggressive behaviour
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A strength for genetic factors as an explanation for aggression
Practical applications
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Practical applications as a strength for genetic factors as an explanation for aggression
Research on genetic origins can lead to treatment programs
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2 limitations for genetic factors as an explanation for aggression
Contradiction of serotonin, biologically reductionist
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Serotonin as a limitation for genetic factors as an explanation for aggression
MAOA-L shows link between high serotonin and aggression, goes against theorys of low serotonin and aggression, not understood, suggests serotonin role is complex
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Biologically reductionist as a limitation for genetic factors as an explanation for aggression
Many people have MAOA-L gene but aren'y aggressive, variance in aggression, genetics doesn't fully explain it, must be a social aspect
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What is ethology in regards to aggression
Scientific study of animal behaviour - studying reasons animals display aggression could be used to understand aspects of human aggression
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Ethology as an explanation for aggression
Animal aggression is often thought to provide evolutionary advantages, often ritualistic (same set of responses to stimuli - growling, bearing teeth)
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Lorenz's theory referencing ethology as an explanation for aggression
Excessive energy builds up in animals, set of inherited neural circuits called innate releasing mechanism stops aggression being expressed, IRM triggered by stimulus in environment so animals preform predictable aggressive behaviours called fixed action patterns - FAPs are thought to be innate
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Research support for ethology as an explanation for aggression
Tinbergen (1947), Slackett (1966)
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Tinbergen (1947) study premise
Male stickleback (fish) presented with realistic models of male sticklebacks but without red bellies and an unrealistic wooden model with a red underside
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Tinbergen (1947) study results
Male sticklebacks only attacked the wooden models with the red undersides
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Tinbergen (1947) study conclusion
Male sticklebacks have an innate releasing mechanism for aggression triggered by the red bellies of other male sticklebacks resulting in a fixed action pattern of aggressive behaviour
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Slackett (1966) study premise
Isolated infant monkeys from their mother to avoid learnt behaviours, showed the isolated monkeys photographs of monkeys displaying threatening or non threatening poses
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Slackett (1966) study results
Found that monkeys only displayed defensive poses to the threatening photos
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Slackett (1966) study conclusion
Suggests monkeys are born with innate behaviours (fixed action patterns) that are triggered when shown aggression
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Issues and debates of the ethological explanation of aggression
Animal studies can separate biological and social factors, can't generalise this to humans, also human aggression is often not instinctual but premeditated and can be highly organised such as in warfare
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Evolutionary theory regarding aggression
If genes give survival advantage then that will be passed on, aggression would have been beneficial to our ancestors, survival of the fittest
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Male sex jealousy as an evolutionary explanation for aggression
Males can't be sure of paternity, high levels of male violence against partners could be an attempt to ensure faithfulness and certainty that mothers are investing resources into their own children
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Male retention strategies as an evolutionary explanation for aggression
Males could use psychologically aggressive strategies like mate guarding (controlling) and threats to warn against infidelity
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Research support for the evolutionary theory of aggression
Daly and Wilson (1990)
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Daly and Wilson (1990) study premise
Compared murder rates in families for blood/non-blood relatives
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Daly and Wilson (1990) study results
Found across cultures that people are more likely to kill no blood family members (partners/step-kids), one data set showed that infants in US are 100x more likely to be killed if living with 1+ step parents
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Daly and Wilson (1990) study conclusion
Suggests that step parents are resistant to spending limited resources on kids that aren't their own
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Research limitation for the evolutionary theory of aggression
Sadalla (1987)
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Sadalla (1987) study premise
Female participants rated descriptions of high vs low dominant, aggressive or domineering men
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Sadalla (1987) study results
Rated highly dominant men as more sexually attractive, aggressive and domineering men were not rated as more attractive and were actually rated as less likable an stable
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Sadalla (1987) study concusion
Suggests aggression in men doesn't improve reproduction success but related behaviours do
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2 limitations for the evolutionary explanation for aggression
Ethics, temporal and cultural validity
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Ethics as a limitation for the evolutionary explanation for aggression
Suggests male aggression is innate, could provide a justification for male abusers of women
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Temporal/cultural validity as a limitation for the evolutionary explanation for aggression
Significant changes in levels of aggression shown by males across time and cultures, significant decrease in aggression over past 30 years, evolution takes many generations so can't explain this, better explained by socialisation
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Social explanations for aggression
Frustration-aggression, social learning theory, de-individuation
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Frustration-aggression as an explanation for human aggression
Dollard and Millar (1939) - aggression always caused by frustration which occurs when goal-directed behaviour is blocked, frustration builds up and causes mental tension which we relieve through catharsis via aggression
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Features of aggression according to frustration-aggression explanation for aggression
Can be displaced, often onto weaker targets like a pet or family member
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When is aggression more likely to occur according to frustration-aggression theory
Proximity to goal (closer), reward (does it get them closer to their goal), punishment (if it doesn't lead to negative responses
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Research support for the frustration aggression explanation
Geen (1968), Harris (1974)
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Geen (1968) study premise
2 groups did jigsaw, 1st group got interfered with to stop them doing it, other group has intelligence insulted by confederate after completing jigsaw, both groups later had a chance to shock confederate
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Geen (1968) study results
Both shocked much higher than a control group, verbally attacked gave higher shocks
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Geen (1968) study conclusion
Frustration is a factor in aggression but potentially a weaker one than others such as being verbally insulted
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Harris (1974) study premise
Investigated proximity to goal aspect of FA, got confederates to either push in near front of a queue or near the back, aggressive response of person behind them was coded - field study
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Harris (1974) study results
Subjects at front of line showed significantly more aggression than those at back
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Harris (1974) study conclusion
Frustations leads to aggression and is more intense when closer to goal
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Limitation of the frustration aggression hypothesis
Can't explain why people resist aggression when frustrated or premeditated aggression when not frustrated
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Social learning theory as an explanation for aggression
Role models, vicarious reinforcement punishment, identification, imitation and imitation, self-efficacy (ability - increases if aggression has been successful in the past), mediational factors (attention, retention, reproduction and motivation), so aggression is an internal process
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2 research supports for the social learning theory explanation for aggression
Bandura (1961), Williams (1986)
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Bandura (1961) study premise
Children saw adults attacking inflatable Bobo doll
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Bandura (1961) study results
Children imitated the adults aggression/non-aggression, strongest imitation when role model and child were same gender
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Bandura (1961) study conclusion
Children learn aggression through social learning principles and supports identification
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Williams (1986) study premise
Observed children for playground aggression before and after television was introduced to rural Canadian town
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Williams (1986) study results
Found increase in verbal and physical aggression
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Williams (1986) study conclusion
Viewing aggressive symbolic models on tv led to children imitating the observed aggressive behaviour
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De-individuation as an explanation for aggression
Being in a crowd leads to feeling anonymous so reduces feeling of personal responibility, lowers inhibitions and feelings of guilt around committing aggressive acts, anonymity increased by factors like masks, uniforms and darkness
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Cognitive changes for deindividuation as an explanation for aggression
Personal responsibility reduced due to feeling less worried about what others think hence a reduction in public self awareness, less able to reflect on out own values so lowering of private self awareness
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2 research supports for deindividuation as an explanation for aggression
Zimbardo (1969), Gergen et al (1973)
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Zimbardo (1963) study premise
Female participants in groups of 4 asked to shock a confederate being asked questions through one way glass, 2 conditions, lab coats and hoods (not identifiable) or greeted by name and given large name tags
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Zimbardo (1963) study results
Deindividuated participants shocked for twice as long (90s) as individuated
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Zimbardo (1963) study conclusion
Anonymity can increase aggression
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Gergen et al (1973) study premise
Groups of 8 participants into a lit or darkened small room, individually told they would not be introduced to each other and there were no rules on what they could do in the room
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Gergen et al (1973) study results
No aggression found however in dark room, 90% intentionally touched someone and 50% hugged, no one intentionally touched anyone in lit room
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Gergen et al (1973) study conclusion
Anonymity results in low inhibitions but not necessarily aggressive behaviour
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Strength of the de-individuation explanation for aggression
Face validity, armies wear uniforms and used to use war paint to remove individuality
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Strength for the social psychological explanation of aggression
Practical applications
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Practical applications as a strength forsocial psychological explanations for aggression
We can make sure streets are well lit and have CCTV to reduce anonymity, can preform interventions for SLT, provide alternate methods of catharsis
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2 limitations for the social psychological explanation for aggression
Short term, nature/nurture debate
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Short term as a limitation for the social psychological explanation for aggression
Short term research is hard to link to long term examples or real world aggression
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Nature/nurture as a limitation for the social psychological explanation for aggression
Suggests its primary due to nurture, research into genetics (MAOA) and neurotransmitters (serotonin) contradict this
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What are institutions
Forms of human organisations, people within them often share characteristics (church, uni, army, prison)
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2 theories regarding high aggression in prisons
Dispositional factors, situational factors
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What is the dispositional theory for institutional aggression
Importation model, aggression is imported into prison environment due to personality, gangs are common, people bring prior gang relationships and culture into prison, results in instrumental aggression (for a purpose), other personal factors like withdrawal, drug addiction or level of education, potential bio factors imported like high testosterone (younger prisoners often more aggressive
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What is the situational theory for institutional aggression
Prison is criminogenic (cause of aggressive behaviour), physical factors (noise, access to improv weapons) or lack of (gym, libraries) can cause boredom and frustration, poorly trained and inexperience staff, deprivation model (depriving of freedom but also safety, heterosexual relationships and autonomy leads to stress)
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Research evaluations for institutional aggression
Bierie (2011), DeLisi (2011)
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Bierie (2011) study premise
Stratified random sample of prison staff from all US prisons did questionnaire on condition at prison, matched to prison records of violence
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Bierie (2011) study results
Extreme inmate violence significantly higher in prisons with poor physical conditions such as nosie, poor hgiene and lack of privacy, also in prisons with more white and fewer female staff
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Bierie (2011) study conclusion
Supports situational argument
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DeLisi (2011) study premise
Reviewed early personal background and criminal history of over 2500 young male offenders to see if it was predictive of violent institutional misconduct
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DeLisi (2011) study results
Living in care, poverty or having a history of violence towards family members all associated with violent assault of staff or other inmates
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DeLisi (2011) study conclusion
Supports dispositional argument - life course importation model
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2 evaluations of institutional aggression
Socially sensitive, Zimbardo's Stanford prison experiement
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Socially sensitive as an evaluation of institutional aggression
Research into institutional aggression can have real implication on lives of prisoners, findings could be used to justify more/less money to prisons
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Zimbardo's Stanford prison experiment as an evaluation of institutional aggression
Participants screened before experiment so were unlikely to have dispositional factors, high levels of aggression supports situational argument
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Strength of institutional aggression
Interactionalist approach may be most valid, evidence for both suggests that they are both correct and factors work together
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Media influence on aggression approach explanation
SLT - identification with attractive but violent hero (symbolic model) increases likelihood that aggression will be imitated, learns vicariously that aggression solves problems and prompts rewards
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Moral decision making process due to media
Agression often 'justified' - causes viewer to think an aggressive response is correct if they have been 'wronged'
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Why video games can be worse than other media
Players control avatar in situations where aggression is the only way to progres the game so aggression is positively reinforced
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Why might violent video games reduce the likelihood of real aggression
Provide catharsis - feeling of relief from releasing negative emotions like anger and stress
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3 influences of media on aggression
Desensitisation, disinhibition and cognitive priming
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What is desensitisation
Repeated exposure to extreme aggression reduces strong negative reactions, potentially making it easier for people to be extremely aggressive
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What is disinhibition
People don't want to be aggressive so aggressive impulses are inhibited due to socialisation teaching us it is not acceptable, repeated exposure to 'justified' aggression is thought to disinhibit the avoidance of real life aggression
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What is cognitive priming
Mental scripts and schemas are learnt from tv and video games, seeing the hero act aggressively in certain situations, these become cues and priming stimuli, we are then cognitively primed to act in a aggressively to these cues in a similar context
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Research support for media influences on aggression
Williams (1986), Carnagey and Anderson (2007), Berkowitz and Powers (1979), Murray (2006)
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Carnagey and Anderson (2007) study premise
Asked participants to play either violent or nonviolent video games for 20 mins a day before watching a 10 minute video showing real world violence
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Carnagey and Anderson (2007) study results
Lower galvanic skin response and heartrate in participants who had played aggressive games
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Carnagey and Anderson (2007) study conclusion
Suggests exposure to violence in games had physically desensitised players to violent imagery
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Berkowitz and Powers (1979) study premise
Males watched aggressive scene from a TV show and were given written summaries of the show
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Berkowitz and Powers (1979) study results
Participants who were given summaries were violence was justified were the most aggressive to a confederate in a follow up task
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Berkowitz and Powers (1979) study conclusion
Suggests viewing aggression along with justification created a disinhibited aggressive response in viewers
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Murray (2006) study premise
Scanned brains of 8 children with fMRI while they watched violent and non-violent video sequences
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Murray (2006) study results
Range of areas activated only to the violent games
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Murray (2006) study conclusion
Suggests viewers see violence as real due to amygdala activation and are cognitively primed as aggressive scripts are being stored in posterior cingulate (associated with long term memory store)
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2 limitations of the influence of media on aggression
Lacks face validity, correlational
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Lacks face validity as a limitation of the influence of media on aggression
Real aggression has decreased significantly since video games have gained popularity (1980s) - could be due to young males spending less time on streets and more time indoors playing games
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Correlational as a limitation of the influence of media on aggression
Could be that aggressive people choose to consume aggressive media
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2 strengths of the influence of media on aggression
Kestenbaum (1985), practical application
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Kestenbaum (1985) related to the influence of media on aggression
In self reports by young males, they played videos games when they felt 'wound up' and felt more relaxed after playing - could be catharsis by providing an outlet for aggressive behaviours
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Practical application as a strength of the influence of media on aggression
Research about aggression and media use can be used to inform policy around regulations to do with age rating of game and if they should be banned
