Neural/hormonal mechanisms - Serotonin Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is serotonin ?
It is a neurotransmitter that is linked to aggressive behaviour.
What is serotonin’s function ?
What does the …… Mean ?
It has an inhibitory function in the brain.
This means neural activity is reduced.
What is the OFC associated with?
Higher cognitive decision making (Executive function)
What does Serotonin control in the OFC
Controls aggressive impulses coming in from areas like the limbic system such as the amygdala.
This maintains a stable/calm mood
What is the serotonin deficiency hypothesis ?
Lower than normal levels of serotonin in the (OFC) result in less control over the limbic systems aggressive impulses.
This is shown by lower levels of 5-HIAA in the spinal fluid of more aggressive people.
This suggests low levels of serotonin in the brain.
What is 5-HIAA?
A biproduct of serotonin breakdown
What is an issue with the serotonin deficiency hypothesis?
The role of serotonin can be complex.
Individuals with the MAOA gene struggle to break down serotonin so have higher levels but a more aggressive.
What is an evaluation of Serotonin ?
Research support - Passamonti
What is Tryptophan ?
Tryptophan in food is needed by the body to produce serotonin.
What technique did the study use?
(Procedure)
Acute tryptophan depletion
(Avoiding foods that contain tryptophan).
This would reduce the amounts of serotonin in the brains of the experimental group.
What was the the dependent variable?
(What the researchers measured)
Measured the brain’s response to seeing angry faces.
Used fMRI to do this.
What did the results show?
Reduced communication between the Amygdala and the frontal cortex when deprived of serotonin.
Ppts also scored highly on aggression questionnaire.
What do these results suggest?
Lack of serotonin reduces the frontal cortex’s ability to control aggressive impulse in the amygdala.
What is a good thing about the study?
The study used a randomised double blind placebo controlled method and the data analysed was fMRI readings.
These scientific measures suggests.
High validity
What is a problem with the study?
Use of an aggression questionnaire may not be accurate in measuring aggression levels. (Social desirable answers).
