AQA A-Level Psychology: Aggression Exam Questions and Answers 100% Pass

AQA A-Level Psychology: Aggression Exam Questions and Answers 100% Pass Aggression - Answer-Anti-social behaviour that can come across as angry and often unprovoked. What are the neural influences of aggression? - Answer-Limbic system (amygdala and hippocampus) and serotonin. What is the hormonal influence of aggression? - Answer-Testosterone Limbic system - Answer-Sub-cortical structures in the brain (including the hippocampus and amygdala) thought to be closely involved in regulating emotional behaviour. How does the limbic system act in terms of aggression? - Answer-1. Amygdala INTERPRETS THREATS and produces aggression or fear. (FIGHT OR FLIGHT) 2. Hypothalamus triggers PRODUCTION OF TESTOSTERONE when there is a threat. 3. The THALAMUS passes the warning to other parts of the brain, causing SEROTONIN LEVELS to drop and DOPAMINE LEVELS to rise. What is the role of the amygdala in aggression? - Answer-It is responsible for EVALUATING EMOTIONAL IMPORTANCE of sensory information in order to prompt an emotional response. If this area is stimulated, it results in aggressive behaviour. What is the role of the hippocampus in aggression? - Answer-The hippocampus is linked to LONG TERM MEMORY. This area gives context to response. An impaired hippocampus may cause amygdala to respond inappropriately as they work COLLABORATIVELY. A destroyed hippocampus results in no context of previous events so cannot evaluate. Serotonin - Answer-A neurotransmitter with inhibitory effects throughout the brain. What is the role of serotonin in aggression? - Answer-Serotonin has a CALMING effect on neuronal firing of amygdala. Inhibits firing of amygdala, PREVENTING AGGRESSIVE RESPONSE to situations. LOW LEVELS OF SEROTONIN = ANGRY Testosterone - Answer-A hormone from the androgen group which is produced mainly in the male testes, and is associated with aggression. What is the role of testosterone in aggression? - Answer-Testosterone is produced more around the age of 20-30 in males, which is when aggression is most prominent. It is thought to act on brain areas involved in controlling aggression. Males produce higher levels of testosterone than females, which may be why aggression is more prevalent in males. Why are neural/hormonal influences of aggression BIOLOGICALLY REDUCTIONIST? - Answer-This explanation reduces the complexity of human behaviour down to just biological mechanisms. Other factors may influence aggression, such as social learning. Why is research into the role of TESTOSTERONE biased? - Answer-Most of the research into the role of testosterone in aggression has been conducted using male participants. Women are under-represented in aggression research and this could have consequences. This means that there may be gender bias. What research supports the role of the amygdala in aggression? - Answer-PARDINI found in a LONGITUDINAL study that a reduced size of an amygdala results in severe/persistent aggression. Findings highlight a correlation between size of amygdala and levels of aggression. Study was longitudinal so can establish long term effects. What research supports the role of the hippocampus? - Answer-RAINE studied the hippocampus of violent criminals. Found that their hippocampus was abnormal in comparison to normal shape