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Flashcards in Agg Deck (27)
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1
Q

Define aggression

A

any form of behaviour directed toward the goal of harming another living being

2
Q

What are the 3 biological explanations of aggression?

A

Neural mechanisms- limbic system, serotonin
Hormonal mechanisms- testosterone
Genetics- MAOA gene

3
Q

What are the 2 suggestions about the amygdala and aggression?

A

Hyperactivity in amygdala causes aggression

Reduced amygdala volume causes aggression

4
Q

What did LeDoux (1996) do that supports the role of the amygdala in aggressive behaviour?
One limitaton is…

A

Stimulated amygdala of rats which caused rage response

Used rats so cant generalise to humans

5
Q

What did Pardini (2014) do that supports the idea that reduced amygdala volume causes aggression?

One limitation is…

A

Longitudinal study of men using MRI scanners predicted develop men of persistent aggressive behaviour.

Only carried out on males, cant generalise to women

6
Q

Why would serotonin, being an inhibitory neurotransmitter, reduce aggression?

A

It inhibits responses to emotional stimuli that may lead to aggression

7
Q

What research evidence is there for serotonin reducing aggression?

A

Mann 1990

Gave 35 ps dexfentamine which reduces serotonin, found through questionnaires they were more aggressive

8
Q

Strengths of neural mechanisms explanation of aggression

A

Le doux rats amygdala stimulated cased aggression

pardini longitudinal study showed reduced volume of amygdala had persistent aggressive behaviour

9
Q

Strengths of neural mechanisms explanation of aggression (2)

A

Le doux rats amygdala stimulated cased aggression

pardini longitudinal study showed reduced volume of amygdala had persistent aggressive behaviour

10
Q

Limitations of neural mechanisms explanation of aggression (2)

A

Reductionist that amygdala alone results in aggression
Prefrontal cortex also linked to aggression (phineas gage) shows amygdala not only cause
Animal research sin generalisable to humans

11
Q

What evidence supports testosterone causes aggression? (2)

A

Wagner found more biting attacks in mice pre castration than post castration.
Dabbs violent criminals has higher testosterone levels, non violent (e.g. tax crimes) had lower levels

12
Q

How do twin studies support the idea that aggression is genetic?

A

There is a greater association in aggressive behaviour between MZ twins than DZ twins

13
Q

What did Coccaro et al find when studying concondance rates between MZ and DZ twins?

A

50% MZ

19% DZ

14
Q

What 2 things does the genetics explanation for agression include?

A

twin studies

the role of the gene MAOA

15
Q

What did Brunner et al discover about the MAOA gene?

A

a ‘low activity MAOA gene’ was found in aggressive men

16
Q

What does the MAOA gene do?

A

Removes excess neurotransmitters

17
Q

Why would a faulty MAOA gene cause aggression?

A

because it removes excess serotonin

if serotonin stays

18
Q

What were the findings of the hot chilli experiment

A

those with the MAOA-L gene were more likely to give punishement

19
Q

Give limitations of the genetics explanation for aggression. (3)

A

reductionist- reduce behaviour to genes
interaction between nature and nurture- MAOA-L gene may lead to aggression under certain circumstances
determinism- behaviour result of genes so no free will. used as convenient excuse in criminal justice system, people might be discriminated against for having gene

20
Q

What are the two key elements of the ethological approach to explaining aggresiion?

A

aggression is an instinct- occurs in all species without need for learning + mostly genetically determined

it is studied in non-human animals and extrapolate findings to humans- becasue all subject to same force of natural selection.

21
Q

What is an IRM, and what does it stand for?

A

IRM= Innate releasing mechanism

biological structure or process thats activated by an external/sign stimulus that triggers a fixed action patter (FAP)

22
Q

What are the 6 features of FAPs?

A

stereotyped- behaviour occurs in same form
universality- b is found through species
unaffected by learning- b isnt learnt
ballistic– cant be changed, follows unalterable inevitable path
single purpose- b occurs in one context only
sign stimuli- b is triggered by known stimuli

23
Q

What does the hydraulic model attempt to explain about FAPS?

A

each FAP has reserve of action specific energy
thaat builds up over tim e
this initiates the FAP
the fap cant be performed again till the ASE has built up again

24
Q

What did tinbergen find in his stickleback study?

A

sticklebacks develop red spot in mating season and when another male enters a fap is activated
he found regardless of the shape of the fish he introdued, the fish would only attack if it had a red spot

25
Q

how is the stickleback study supported by the genetic explanation for agression?

A

both suggest aggression has an innate cause.

26
Q

What did lorenz observe about animals of the same species and their aressive encounters?

A

there is a period of ritualized aggression

27
Q

what does Lorenz argue is a wolfs sign stimulus that triggers an appeasment FAP?

A

exposing its neck in submission