AQA - Psychology A Level - Paper 3 - Issues and options
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hwemgv
1. Neural: related to the neuron, such as large neural structures or the actions of neurotransmitters
2. Hormonal: how chemical messengers influence the body
3. Neural and hormonal mechanisms in aggression?: Limbic system, testosterone, serotonin
4. What is the limbic system?: A set of neural structures located in the centre of the brain.
5. what is the function of the limbic system?: to process emotional responses such as aggression
6. What is the role of the amygdala in the limbic system?: The amygdala has been identified
as being linked to the production of aggressive behaviour, FMRIs show increased activity during aggressive responses
(Gospic)
7. What is the role of the hypothalamus in the limbic system?: The hypothalamus has a
role in integrating and expressing emotional responses, it can trigger aggressive behaviour as part of the fight or flight
response.
8. What is the role of the orbitofrontal cortex?: The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), controls executive
function (decision making) which attempts to control aggression produced by the limbic system
9. Egger & Flynn (1963) - eval: 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
10. Sumer (2007) - eval: Conducted a case study on a 14 year old girl, showing extreme aggressive behaviour
as well as epileptic fits.
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
1/4
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hwemgv
1. Neural: related to the neuron, such as large neural structures or the actions of neurotransmitters
2. Hormonal: how chemical messengers influence the body
3. Neural and hormonal mechanisms in aggression?: Limbic system, testosterone, serotonin
4. What is the limbic system?: A set of neural structures located in the centre of the brain.
5. what is the function of the limbic system?: to process emotional responses such as aggression
6. What is the role of the amygdala in the limbic system?: The amygdala has been identified
as being linked to the production of aggressive behaviour, FMRIs show increased activity during aggressive responses
(Gospic)
7. What is the role of the hypothalamus in the limbic system?: The hypothalamus has a
role in integrating and expressing emotional responses, it can trigger aggressive behaviour as part of the fight or flight
response.
8. What is the role of the orbitofrontal cortex?: The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), controls executive
function (decision making) which attempts to control aggression produced by the limbic system
9. Egger & Flynn (1963) - eval: 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
10. Sumer (2007) - eval: Conducted a case study on a 14 year old girl, showing extreme aggressive behaviour
as well as epileptic fits.
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
1/4
