Brain structure Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is brain structure an explanation of?
aggression
what is the limbic system?
regulates endocrine function (emotions) in response to emotional stimuli and involved in reinforcing behaviours
4 parts- hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus
what does the limbic system have a role in?
self-preservation e..g fight or flight
what does the amygdala do?
-seen as source of emotions-aggression
takes in info from environment and decides on response
what does the hypothalamus do?
responsible for controlling homeostasis in body- levels of hormones such as testosterone
what does the periaqueductal grey area do?
grey area in the midbrain
links the hypothalamus,amygdala,prefrontal cortex together
has the job of coordinating and inter-grating behavioural responses
what does the pre-frontal cortex do?
related to controlling emotion,self-control,regulating our behaviour
-those less active/developed/smaller/damaged less able to control behaviour and emotions
supporting evidence for the amygdala and aggression
kluver-Bucy syndrome- research into rhesus monkeys-removed amygdala causing less aggressive behaviour
HOWEVER- animal research- can’t apply to human behaviour
Raine- found murderers had higher activity in right amygdala
supporting evidence for the hypothalamus and aggression
ANdy and Velamate- stimulated hypothalamus in cats- caused aggression and seizures
HOWEVER- animal research not very credible to human behaviour
CONFLICTING EVIDENCE- brain structure
- reductionist
- deterministic
- nurture? schmolck
- most research is animal studies
supporting evidence for pre-frontal cortex
phineas gage- rod damaged pre-frontal cortex and caused aggression
HOWEVER- case study- very unique to one person
Other evidence
evolution
social learning theory- learn through imitation
usefulness
help to control aggression
not useful for understanding aggression-deterministic- all biological
testability
brain scans- quantitative- extremely reliable nd valid
