AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY PAPER 3 ISSUES & OPTIONS.
Neural - (ANSWER)related to the neuron, such as large neural structures or the actions of
neurotransmitters
Hormonal - (ANSWER)how chemical messengers influence the body
Neural and hormonal mechanisms in aggression? - (ANSWER)Limbic system, testosterone,
serotonin
What is the limbic system? - (ANSWER)A set of neural structures located in the centre of the
brain.
what is the function of the limbic system? - (ANSWER)to process emotional responses such as
aggression
#$%^&*()_+
What is the role of the amygdala in the limbic system? - (ANSWER)The amygdala has been
identified as being linked to the production of aggressive behaviour, FMRIs show increased
activity during aggressive responses (Gospic)
What is the role of the hypothalamus in the limbic system? - (ANSWER)The hypothalamus has a
role in integrating and expressing emotional responses, it can trigger aggressive behaviour as part
of the fight or flight response.
What is the role of the orbitofrontal cortex? - (ANSWER)The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC),
controls executive function (decision making) which attempts to control aggression produced by
the limbic system
Egger & Flynn (1963) - eval - (ANSWER)Electrically stimulated an area of the hypothalamus,
caused cats to show aggression towards a rat
Also showed that stimulating different parts of the amygdala would either case an increase in
aggressive behaviour or suppress the aggressive behaviour causing the cats to be tame
This suggests that the hypothalamus has a role in producing aggressive behaviour and different
parts of the amygdala have separate roles in regulating aggression.
-) However... this study was conducted on cats, these findings may not be generalisable to
humans
Sumer (2007) - eval - (ANSWER)Conducted a case study on a 14 year old girl, showing extreme
aggressive behaviour as well as epileptic fits.
, AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY PAPER 3 ISSUES & OPTIONS.
MRI scans showed a tumour pressing on her amygdala
After removal of the tumour, she displayed regular aggression levels - suggests that the tumour
on her amygdala caused her aggression
-) However... this was a case study of the experiences of a singular individual, suggesting that
there may have been other factors influencing aggression - cannot be generalised
What is serotonin? - (ANSWER)An inhibitory neurotransmitter that is important in controlling /
calming aggressive impulses. Has been linked to aggressive behaviour
what is the role of serotonin in the brain? - (ANSWER)Its function in the brain is inhibitory,
meaning that it reduces neural activity.
#$%^&*()_+
Role of the OFC? - (ANSWER)The orbitofrontal cortex is an area associated with higher
cognitive decision making (executive function)
What neurotransmitter controls aggressive impulses? - (ANSWER)Serotonin
Which brain areas are involved in sending aggressive impulses? - (ANSWER)areas of the
Limbic system - like the amygdala
What is the role of serotonin in mood regulation? - (ANSWER)Maintaining a stable calm mood
serotonin deficiency hypothesis? - (ANSWER)The serotonin deficiency hypothesis suggests that
lower than normal levels of serotonin in the orbitofrontal cortex results in less self control over
the limbic systems aggressive impulses.
Shown by lower levels of 5-HIAA (biproduct of serotonin breakdown) in the spinal fluid of more
aggressive people, suggesting low levels of serotonin in the brain
passamonti (2012) - eval
What is the role of tryptophan in serotonin production? - (ANSWER)Tryptophan in food is
needed by the body to produce serotonin.
What technique did Passamonti (2012) use to reduce serotonin levels in the brain? -
(ANSWER)The study used tryptophan depletion by avoiding foods containing tryptophan.
Neural - (ANSWER)related to the neuron, such as large neural structures or the actions of
neurotransmitters
Hormonal - (ANSWER)how chemical messengers influence the body
Neural and hormonal mechanisms in aggression? - (ANSWER)Limbic system, testosterone,
serotonin
What is the limbic system? - (ANSWER)A set of neural structures located in the centre of the
brain.
what is the function of the limbic system? - (ANSWER)to process emotional responses such as
aggression
#$%^&*()_+
What is the role of the amygdala in the limbic system? - (ANSWER)The amygdala has been
identified as being linked to the production of aggressive behaviour, FMRIs show increased
activity during aggressive responses (Gospic)
What is the role of the hypothalamus in the limbic system? - (ANSWER)The hypothalamus has a
role in integrating and expressing emotional responses, it can trigger aggressive behaviour as part
of the fight or flight response.
What is the role of the orbitofrontal cortex? - (ANSWER)The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC),
controls executive function (decision making) which attempts to control aggression produced by
the limbic system
Egger & Flynn (1963) - eval - (ANSWER)Electrically stimulated an area of the hypothalamus,
caused cats to show aggression towards a rat
Also showed that stimulating different parts of the amygdala would either case an increase in
aggressive behaviour or suppress the aggressive behaviour causing the cats to be tame
This suggests that the hypothalamus has a role in producing aggressive behaviour and different
parts of the amygdala have separate roles in regulating aggression.
-) However... this study was conducted on cats, these findings may not be generalisable to
humans
Sumer (2007) - eval - (ANSWER)Conducted a case study on a 14 year old girl, showing extreme
aggressive behaviour as well as epileptic fits.
, AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY PAPER 3 ISSUES & OPTIONS.
MRI scans showed a tumour pressing on her amygdala
After removal of the tumour, she displayed regular aggression levels - suggests that the tumour
on her amygdala caused her aggression
-) However... this was a case study of the experiences of a singular individual, suggesting that
there may have been other factors influencing aggression - cannot be generalised
What is serotonin? - (ANSWER)An inhibitory neurotransmitter that is important in controlling /
calming aggressive impulses. Has been linked to aggressive behaviour
what is the role of serotonin in the brain? - (ANSWER)Its function in the brain is inhibitory,
meaning that it reduces neural activity.
#$%^&*()_+
Role of the OFC? - (ANSWER)The orbitofrontal cortex is an area associated with higher
cognitive decision making (executive function)
What neurotransmitter controls aggressive impulses? - (ANSWER)Serotonin
Which brain areas are involved in sending aggressive impulses? - (ANSWER)areas of the
Limbic system - like the amygdala
What is the role of serotonin in mood regulation? - (ANSWER)Maintaining a stable calm mood
serotonin deficiency hypothesis? - (ANSWER)The serotonin deficiency hypothesis suggests that
lower than normal levels of serotonin in the orbitofrontal cortex results in less self control over
the limbic systems aggressive impulses.
Shown by lower levels of 5-HIAA (biproduct of serotonin breakdown) in the spinal fluid of more
aggressive people, suggesting low levels of serotonin in the brain
passamonti (2012) - eval
What is the role of tryptophan in serotonin production? - (ANSWER)Tryptophan in food is
needed by the body to produce serotonin.
What technique did Passamonti (2012) use to reduce serotonin levels in the brain? -
(ANSWER)The study used tryptophan depletion by avoiding foods containing tryptophan.
