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AS PSYCHOLOGY P2 > AGGRESSION > Flashcards

AGGRESSION Flashcards

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1
Q

Define aggression

A

Psychological or physiological expression of anguish or anger showing in forms of antisocial behaviour

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2
Q

Define hostile aggression

A

driven by anger

could be physical or verbal behaviour intended to hurt someone

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3
Q

Define instrumental agression

A

a means to end could be self defence

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4
Q

What ‘emotion’ neurotransmitters are linked to the prefrontal cortex?

A

Dopamine
Serotonin
Norapinephrine

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5
Q

How does the size of the prefrontal cortex link to aggression

A

Smaller or damaged prefrontal cortex have less control over emotions and behaviour

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6
Q

Outline Volkow’s (1995) link to the prefrontal cortex

A

Violent psychiatric patients
had a reduced cerebral blood flow
to the prefrontal cortex

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7
Q

Outline Anderson’s (1999) link to the prefrontal cortex

A

Damage in infancy to the prefrontal cortex

Related to aggressive behaviour as adults

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8
Q

Outline Heinz’s (2011) link to the prefrontal cortex

A

Looked at environmental factors that reduce prefrontal cortex activity
eg. stress genetics ALCOHOL
alcohol further reduces activity of prefrontal cortex
Inducing agression

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9
Q

Outline Raine’s (1997) link to the prefrontal cortex

A

murderers had a lower glucose metabolism
in some areas of the prefrontal cortex
inducing agression

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10
Q

What does the limbic system influence?

A 
Emotion
Eating
Sexual behaviour
Agression
Flight/Fight response
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11
Q

What are the three key aspects of the limbic system?

A

hypothalamus
amygdala
hippocampus

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12
Q

What is the hypothalamus responsible for?

A

Heat regulation
Sexual function
Pain
Emotion

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13
Q

How does the hypothalamus link to aggression

A

Produces testosterone which is the main anger hormone

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14
Q

How does the amygdala link to aggression?

A

Centre for emotions behaviour and motivation
Gives us instinctive feelings
High activity leads to more aggression

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15
Q

What is the hippocampus responsible for?

A

Converts short term memories into long term memroeis

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16
Q

How does the hippocampus link to aggression?

A

Aids in identifying situations which have lead/may lead to agression to trigger a similar response

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17
Q

Outline Kulver-Bucy Syndrome’s link to the limbic system

A

Part of the temporal lobe (and amygdala) removed

Rhesus monkeys became tamed

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18
Q

Outline Narabyashi’s (1972) link to the limbic system

A

43/51 patients without amygdala

Showed reduced agression

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19
Q

Outline Mark and Ervin’s (1970) link to the limbic system

A

Case study

Amygdala stimulation lead to; grimacing, anger and even a participant flinging themselves into a wall

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20
Q

Outline Ashford’s (1980) link to the limbic system

A

Epilepsy located in the temporal love linked to aggressive behaviour

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21
Q

Outline Swantje et al’s (2012) link to the limbic system

A

20 right handed women take an aggression questionnaire
Correlation between amygdala size and score on aggression test
Small amygdala links to more aggressive

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22
Q

Outline 3 strengths of the brain link to aggression

A

Lack of experimentor bias and scientic research (swantje) with MRI scan

Lots of supporting evidence;
Swantje, raine, kluver-bucy, heinz etc.

Mundane realism of case studies

Hypothalamus produces testosterone which we known links to aggression so it’s plausible

RHW control as different hemisphere control different body sides (swantje)

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23
Q

Outline 3 weaknesses of the brain link to aggression

A

Animals are quantitatively different to humans (Kulver bucy)

Self report lowers accuracy as some people may lie about their agression levels (Swantje)

Correlation doesnt equal causation (swantje)

Case studies cannot be generalised (mark + ervin)

Right handed women only/murders cannot be generalised (swantje/raine)

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24
Q

Define hormone

A

Chemical messengers carried in the blood that transport information all around the body in a more prolonged manner than neurotransmitters

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25
Name 4 functions of a hormone
``` Regulating temperature Regulating breathing Role in tissue function Role in reproduction Regulating metabolic rate Regulating sleep/wake cycle Role in growth and development Regulating stress Role in mood ```
26
What is the endocrine system?
A series of glands that produce hormones
27
What parts of the brain control growth hormone and cortisol production
Pineal gland Hypothalamus Pituitary gland
28
What parts of the body produce testosterone?
Testes (ovaries) Hypothalamus
29
How can hormones be used as medication
Hormone replacement therapy; prevent menopausal symptoms Insulin; treats diabetes Steroids; helps immune system
30
How do hormones work?
Hormones bind to receptor proteins Altering cell function Which affects our behaviour Depending on when its released and when/where its received
31
How does testosterone play a role in aggression?
Androgen - develops male characteristics Present in all humans but higher in males Creating spatial ability and competitive aggression Cell growth in the hypothalamus and amygdala
32
Outline Dabb's (1995) link between males and agrression
Measured testosterone in saliva of 692 male prisoners Higher levels in rapists and violent offenders than burglars and thieves
33
Outline Dabb's (1988) link between females and aggression
Female prisoners testosterone levels Highest in women when they'd been arrested for unprovoked violence Lowest in defensive (eg domestic abuse cases)
34
What other hormones are linked to aggression
``` Thyroxine (homeostasis and tissue function) Serotonin (mood and sleep) Epinephrine (stress and breathing) FSH (reproduction) nGH (growth and development) ```
35
Outline Beeman's (1947) link between males and aggression
Castrated male mice = reduced aggression Injected castrated male mice with testosterone Re-established aggression
36
Define the reciprocal model
Testosterone is an effect of aggression not the cause
37
Outline Robert Saplosky's research on aggression and testosterone
Dominant or aggressive males get the most food, mates etc. When a beta chimp is flooded with testosterone he becomes more aggressive But only to omega chimps not alpha chimps
38
Compare neurotransmitters and hormones
Hormones act more slowly than neurotransmitters Hormones act in the blood while neurotransmitters act in the brain Both control our mood Both are chemicals Both have links to aggression
39
Outline 3 strengths of the hormone link to aggression
evidence; dabbs, beeman Research into males and females Correlation occurs Lack of testosterone leads to lack of aggression and vice versa
40
Outline 3 weaknesses of the hormone link to aggression
Animals are quantitatively different to humans (Kulver bucy) Raised testosterone may be an effect of aggression (reciprocal model) Correlation doesnt equal causation Doesn't account for other hormones Women have naturally low levels of testosterone so its hard to measure
41
Define evolution
A gradual change in a species Due to genes passed from generation to generation And mutations Creating variation Beneficial variations lead to more chance of the gene being passed to offspring
42
Define natural selection
"survival of the fittest" A wide range in variation due to genes in a species Characteristics most suited to the environment are more likely to survive and reproduce Passing their successful genes to their offspring
43
Define sexual selection
Those better at attracting mates Out reproduce others in the population So stronger alleles are passed on
44
In the evolutionary theory of aggression; what are the three main causes for aggression?
Infidelity/Jealousy (Sexual selection) Limited Resources To be seen as stronger
45
Outline how aggression can deter mates from infidelity
Against opposite-sex members To maintain fidelity of desired long-term mates Ensuring paternity eg wife battering
46
Outline the supporting evidence for how aggression can deter mates from infidelity
Miller (1980) 55% of battered wives cited jealousy as reason of husband's behaviour Dobash & Dobash (1984) same as above
47
Outline how aggression can allow gain of territory and resources
Aggression to show dominance and power Intimidates others eg children bullying others for money or toys or adults mugging and warfare
48
Outline how aggression can help defend against attack
``` Preventing loss of resources Maintaining status (for reproductive fitness) Aggression shows dominance and deters others ``` eg sticking up for yourself protecting your partner and child
49
Outline how aggression can help negotiate status and power hierarchies
Aggression allows gain of prestige Dominance amongst same sex members eg gang violence to prove oneself women more attracted to dominant and powerful men
50
Outline the supporting evidence for how aggression can deter mates from infidelity
Daly and Wilson (1985) murders in detroit in 1972 - motive behind most was status
51
Outline how aggression can deter rivals from future aggression
Maintains dominance Intimidates others and envokes fear eg making threatening gestures maintaining an aggressive appearance
52
Outline how aggression can inflict cost on same sex rivals
Between same sex members Aid in competition for resources and mates eg men fighting over women
53
Outline supporting evidence for how aggression can inflict cost on same sex rivals
Daly and Wilson (1985) 58 cases of murder motivated by sexual jealousy as a warning to potential rivals
54
Outline 3 strengths of the evolutionary theory of aggression
Lots of supporting evidence real life examples Evidence across biological science (kettelwell moths) Scientific - theory is repeatedly tested
55
Outline 3 weaknesses of the evolutionary theory of aggression
Reductionist views Not falsifiable (difficult to test) Socially sensitive (eg religion/creationism) In depth explanations
56
Define the environment of evolutionary adaption
the environment to which a species has adapted a trait for in order to survive
57
Outline the key assumptions of the psychodynamic perspective
We all have an unconscious mind that exerts a powerful force in our lives Behaviours are determined by our past experiences stored in the unconscious mind We are engaged in a constant struggle with our feelings and behaviour
58
What are the two aspects of the libido/instinctual drives
Eros and thanatos
59
Define eros
Life instinct | Preservation and enjoyment of life
60
Define thanatos
Death instinct | Most commonly directed out toward others as aggression
61
Define catharsis
The means to satisfy our urges without resorting to violence eg violent games, violent sport, verbal aggression
62
What are the three parts of the mind according to the psychodynamic perspective
Conscious Preconscious Unconscious
63
Define conscious
Thoughts, ideas, emotions and other aspects of thinking which the individual is aware of
64
Define preconscious
Holds thoughts and ideas that can be accessed and ready to be known about but are not actually conscious at the time
65
Define unconscious
where thoughts originate some of which are transferred directly to the conscious others move to the conscious and some remain in the unconscious
66
What are three aspects of personality in the psychodynamic perspective
ID Ego Superego
67
Define ID
``` Instinctual aspect Demands immediate satisfaction Operates on pleasure principle Doesn't care about reality Only instinct at birth ```
68
Define ego
Logical aspect Operates on reality principle Makes conscious and rational decisions Reflecting demands of ID and the morality of the superego and the reality of the external environment
69
Define superego
Moral aspect Develops due to moral and ethical restraints parents place on us as children Dictates our beliefs of what is right and what is wrong
70
Define defence mechanism
Something your mind does to protect you from feeling bad | Changing the way you're acting to meet the demands of the ID but keeping the superego happy
71
Define displacement
choosing a substitute object for the expression of your feelings because they cant be expressed toward the real target
72
Define sublimation
a form of displacement is employed where a substitute which is more socially acceptable
73
Outline the case of Anna-O (Breurer & Freud)
Case study of 21 year old woman who became bedridden after dictating her life to caring for her sick father As soon as she remembered an incident of listening to her parents have sex as a child her deafness was cured and never returned This rang true for other events of her memory
74
Outline 3 strengths of the psychodynamic perspective (CARD NEEDS COMPLETION)
Measurable - similar findings amongst different participants Useful - Identifying thoughts in the unconscious may reduce aggression
75
Outline 3 weaknesses of the psychodynamic perspective
Not scientific - free association therefor not standardised Not generalisable - middle aged neurotic women/case studies Subjective - down to interpretation Not measurable - cannot measure unconsciousness Doesn't account for individual differences (eg Bushman (2002) Reductionist Determinist

AS PSYCHOLOGY P2 (4 decks)

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