Neural/hormonal mechanisms - Limbic system Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is the limbic system ?
A collection of structures in the centre of the brain.
What is one of its functions ?
To process emotional responses. (Aggression)
What is the Amygdala linked to ?
(Who suggested this function)
Gospic
Link to production of aggressive behaviour.
What do fMRI scans show?
Increased activity of the Amygdala during aggressive responses.
What is the Hypothalamus linked to ?
Integrating/Expressing emotional responses that can trigger aggressive behaviour as part of the fight/flight response.
What do these areas of the limbic system communicate with?
An external layer of the brain.
Orbitofrontal cortex (OFC)
What does the (OFC) do ?
Controls the executive function (Decision making)
What does control of the executive function (decision making) do ?
Attempts to control aggression produced by the LS.
(Calming self down/rational thinking).
What is the evaluations of the limbic system ?
Animal studies (research support) and case studies
Research support for the role of the Amygdala and Hypothalamus
Egger/Flynn - Study on cats
What caused the cats to show more aggression towards the rats?
Electrically stimulating an area of the hypothalamus.
What did stimulating different parts of the amygdala do?
Would increase/decrease/Suppress aggressive behaviour.
What does this research suggest?
The hypothalamus has a role in producing aggressive behaviour.
Different areas of the Amygdala have separate roles in regulating aggression.
What is a problem with the study?
Was done on cats - Findings not generalisable to aggressive behaviour observed in humans.
Cannot perform same test of humans so not reliable.
What case study was done to prove the role of the hypothalamus and amygdala in humans?
Summer (2007) conducted a case study on a 14yr old girl who was showing extreme aggressive behaviour and epileptic fits.
What did the MRI scans reveal ?
What happened once it was removed?
A tumour that was pressing on her Amygdala.
Aggression levels became normal once removed.
What does this suggest?
That the tumour was stimulating her amygdala which caused the aggressive behaviour.
(Supporting theory that it is linked to aggression).
What is a problem with the case study?
Not a controlled experiment could have been other factors influencing aggression.
Was only done on one person so findings may not be generalisable.
