Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics A
PAPER 1HR Higher Tier QP JANUARY 2025/2026
(100% PASS RATE)
Person-orientated aggression - the main aim is to cause harm and hurt someone else e.g. punching a
person who is annoying.
Instrumental Aggression - The main goal is to use aggressive behaviour as means of obtaining a
desired reward e.g. stealing a bag.
Limbic System - Located in the frontal cortex area of the skull just above the brain stem, the neural
structures within the limbic system are involved in controlling fear and aggression.
Mar and Ervin (1970) - Studied a 34-year-old man. During seizures he would brutally attack his wife.
After having part of his amygdala removed the attacks stopped. This supports role of the amygdala
and limbic system in aggression.
Phineas Gage (1868) - Suffered an accident that damaged the frontal cortex of his brain. The accident
completely altered his behaviour and supports the neural explanation of aggression.
Biological Explanations of aggression - Neural, Hormonal and Genetics
Gur et al (2002) - Found that hippocampal and amygdala volumes were similar in males and females
but that women had larger prefrontal orbital frontal cortex volume than men. Women have greater
control over their aggressive impulses. Supports neural explanations.
Raine et al (1997) - Using PET scans, compared the brain structures of 41 murderers and non-
murderers. The murderers had significantly lower levels of activity in the prefrontal cortex and
amygdala. Supports the idea of neural explanations of aggression.
Serotonin - This is a neurotransmitter that acts as an inhibitor in the brain, regulating emotions and
aggression. Low levels are associated with aggression and impulsive behaviour.
Evidence for Serotonin - Linnoila and Virkkunen (1992)
PAPER 1HR Higher Tier QP JANUARY 2025/2026
(100% PASS RATE)
Person-orientated aggression - the main aim is to cause harm and hurt someone else e.g. punching a
person who is annoying.
Instrumental Aggression - The main goal is to use aggressive behaviour as means of obtaining a
desired reward e.g. stealing a bag.
Limbic System - Located in the frontal cortex area of the skull just above the brain stem, the neural
structures within the limbic system are involved in controlling fear and aggression.
Mar and Ervin (1970) - Studied a 34-year-old man. During seizures he would brutally attack his wife.
After having part of his amygdala removed the attacks stopped. This supports role of the amygdala
and limbic system in aggression.
Phineas Gage (1868) - Suffered an accident that damaged the frontal cortex of his brain. The accident
completely altered his behaviour and supports the neural explanation of aggression.
Biological Explanations of aggression - Neural, Hormonal and Genetics
Gur et al (2002) - Found that hippocampal and amygdala volumes were similar in males and females
but that women had larger prefrontal orbital frontal cortex volume than men. Women have greater
control over their aggressive impulses. Supports neural explanations.
Raine et al (1997) - Using PET scans, compared the brain structures of 41 murderers and non-
murderers. The murderers had significantly lower levels of activity in the prefrontal cortex and
amygdala. Supports the idea of neural explanations of aggression.
Serotonin - This is a neurotransmitter that acts as an inhibitor in the brain, regulating emotions and
aggression. Low levels are associated with aggression and impulsive behaviour.
Evidence for Serotonin - Linnoila and Virkkunen (1992)
