A-Level Psychology – Aggression Revision Pack

Get top grades with this complete AQA A-Level Psychology Aggression study resource. Covering every explanation, study, and evaluation point, this pack gives you all the AO1 and AO3 content needed for essays and exams. Topics Covered: 1. Defining Aggression Clear definition of aggression in psychology. 2. Neural & Hormonal Mechanisms Limbic system (amygdala, hippocampus) and serotonin. Hormonal influences: testosterone. Evaluation: supporting animal and human studies; reductionism vs holistic approaches. 3. Genetic Factors in Aggression Twin and adoption studies. MAOA gene (“warrior gene”) and its link to aggression. Evaluation: nature vs nurture, gene-environment interactions, methodological issues. 4. Ethological Explanations of Aggression Adaptive functions of aggression. Ritualistic aggression. Innate releasing mechanisms (IRMs) and fixed action patterns (FAPs). 5 main features of FAPs (Lea, 1984). Evaluation: animal vs human behaviour, cultural differences, oversimplification. 5. Evolutionary Explanations of Aggression Sexual jealousy & mate retention tactics (Buss, 1988). Aggression in warfare. Bullying as an evolutionary strategy. Evaluation: cultural universals vs individual differences, gender differences, application to modern society. 6. Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis Original model (Dollard et al., 1939). Revised theory (Berkowitz, 1989) – role of environmental cues. Evaluation: supporting lab studies, but ignores cognitive/social influences. 7. Social Learning Theory (SLT) & Aggression Cognitive conditions for aggression: AARM (Attention, Retention, Reproduction, Motivation). Motivating factors: direct and vicarious reinforcement. Bandura’s Bobo Doll study. Evaluation: strong real-world applications, but reductionist compared to biological views. 8. Deindividuation Diener’s theory of deindividuation. Zimbardo’s research into anonymity and loss of personal identity. Evaluation: evidence from crowd behaviour, online aggression; but inconsistent findings. Each Topic Includes: AO1 Theory Notes – explained clearly and concisely. Key Studies – summarised with findings and conclusions (e.g. Buss, Bandura, Zimbardo, Lea). AO3 Evaluation – strengths, limitations, comparisons with other approaches. Applications – links to real-world scenarios (e.g. crime, warfare, online aggression). Example Extract – MAOA Gene & Aggression: AO1: MAOA regulates serotonin; low activity linked to aggression. Key Study: Brunner et al. (1993) – Dutch family with defective MAOA gene showed violent behaviour. Evaluation: strong genetic evidence, but interactionist view (gene × environment) more accurate (Caspi et al., 2002). Example Extract – Social Learning Theory (Bandura): AO1: Aggression is learned through observation and imitation of role models. Key Study: Bobo Doll experiment – children imitated aggressive behaviour after watching adult models. Evaluation: strong support for environmental learning; but ignores biological influences like hormones. Example Extract – Deindividuation (Zimbardo): AO1: Being anonymous reduces self-awareness and responsibility, increasing aggression. Evaluation: supported by crowd behaviour studies, but not all crowds become violent (suggests other factors involved).