Biological Exam

Question 1

Evaluate the biological theory of aggression (12 marks)

Answer 1

A01: brain structure
A03: Phineas Gage 1848 = railway, tamping iron, frontal lobe, face - left eye - head, 15 minutes unconscious, “no longer gage”, impatient, fitful

A01: amygdala
A03: emotions, aggression, reactions
Kulver-Bucy syndrome = rhesus monkey, removing temporal lobe (amygdala) has a taming effect and reduces aggression

A01: prefrontal cortex
A03: social interactions, behaviour and emotional responses
Anderson et al 1999 = damage to prefrontal cortex during infancy has a positive correlation to leading to aggressive adults with poor moral and social reasoning

A01: serotonin (neurotransmitter)
A03: vervet monkey study shows that an increases amount of serotonin, decreases aggression

A01: testosterone (hormone)
A03: Beeman 1947 = castrated male mice, decreases aggression whilst injecting testosterone back would increase aggression. Later develops into regular cat ration of domestic animals to make them more manageable.

Conclusion:
- empirical evidence =
- human studies are generalisable but animal studies are not…. Environment may take away from validity as forces demand characteristics
- large amount of evidence shows there is a direct link between biological stature and aggression

Question 2

Evaluate the psychodynamic theory of aggression (8 marks)

Answer 2

Intro:
Sigmund Freud - 3 main part of the psyche: id (unconscious - urges and desires), the ego (conscious - granting the wished of the id), the superego (both in the conclusion and unconscious trying to balance and “tame” the id’s irrational and socially unacceptable emotions to create a state of catharsis

A01: superego’s defence mechanisms to prevent the Thanatos (death and destruction) e.g. sublimation, displacement and denial.
A03: Little Hans 1909 = 5 year old boy with a phobia of horses