L9 Agression

Question 1

Where does testosterone come from? what question is this asking about aggressive behaviour?

Answer 1

Causation, produced in the testes in interstitial cells in response to a glycoprotein produced in the anterior pituitary gland in the brain

Question 2

What is the role of testosterone?

Answer 2

responsible for secondary sexual characteristics in males and often the consequence of aggression

Question 3

What do high levels of testosterone mean in humans?

Answer 3

Higher endogenous levels means more likely to be aggressive and dominant.

Question 4

What is a priming effect?

Answer 4

exposure to one stimulus influences a response to a subsequent stimulus, without conscious guidance or intention

Question 5

What happens to testosterone levels in anticipation of aggression?

Answer 5

Increase

Question 6

How did they test the challenge hypothesis that testosterone levels are affected by a feedback loop?

Answer 6

By observing the aggressive interactions in neighbouring birds and recording levels of testosterone in the blood

Question 7

What is the adaptive significance of aggression?

Answer 7

Helps to maintain position in hierarchy. Many species exhibit social dominance hierarchies, a peck order, Often males and females have separate hierarchies, or in some species females assume the rank of their male partner

Question 8

What is the downfall of testosterone?

Answer 8

Costly, females will live longer as a result

Question 9

What are the examples of aggression in male-male combat?

Answer 9

In a wide range of animal species dominant males secure more mates and matings - The males that win do better

Question 10

What is sexual cannibalism?

Answer 10

Females eat the males after copulation, may be beneficial to males as females that eat males lay 30% more eggs e.g. in praying mantis

Question 11

What is the adaptive significance of siblicide?

Answer 11

The older/stronger chick kills or pushes younger/weaker chick out of the nest, method of birth control for limited food resources

Question 12

What is the adaptive significance of infanticide?

Answer 12

Male kills all offspring of previous dominant ,ale, means females come into oestrus sooner, so he can have children and get rid of other offspring e.g. in langur monkeys

Question 13

How does paternity affect child abuse?

Answer 13

Children who have been abused more likely to have been done by step parent

Question 14

What is the sociology debate?

Answer 14

controversy about whether behaviour is determined by genes and therefore unchangeable

Question 15

What is the adaptive significance of testosterone?

Answer 15

Increased acquisition and defence of resources