Theories Of Agression + Brain Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is the nature side of the nature vs nurture argument
Biological view that aggression is an evolutionary adaption
Nurturist approach to nature vs nurture
Aggression comes from ourenvironment and no one is burned aggressive
Aggressive behaviour is Leanne or else produced by social pressure
How does phineas gage support aggression theories for the brain
Survived impaling of an iron rod through frontal cortex
But personality changed from being the best capable forearm to being impatient and fitful
What did Charles Whitman do
1966
Murdered his family and then shot a dozen strangers before taking his own life
What did his psychiatrist think of him and what discovery did they make after his death which is an explanation for his aggression
Whitman was “oozing with hostility”
Found to have a brain tumour size of a pecan nut pressing on his amygdala
What was the conclusion of the Charles Whitman case study
His brain damage may have been responsible for his behaviour
Corpus callosum
Linmks left and right hemispheres
Communicate over long term planning and thinking through consequences
What can damage to the corpus callosum cause
Reckless behaviour
What study supports that damage to the corpus callosum can cause reckless behaviour and why
Raine et al 1997
Brain scans of murderers revealed they less activity in corpus callosum than group of nonmurderers
Shows that thier hemispheres are not communicating and they are not planning and thinking through consequences
Limbic system
Emotion centre
Amygdala
Interprets info to see if it is a threat or not
Triggers flight or fight response
What will happen is the amygdala is malfunctioning
Threatening things will not produce a fear response
Or
Harmless events will be interpreted as a threat causing aggression
What case study is linked to an amgydala malfunction
Charles Whitman
