AQA PSYCHOLOGY (AGGRESSION AND RELATIONSHIPS)
A-LEVEL PAPER 3 EXAM WITH QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS UPDATED 2025
What is the limbic system? (neural & hormonal mechanisms)
VERIFIED ANSWERSubcortical structures in the brain (including the
hypothalamus and the amygdala) thought to be closely involved in
regulating emotional behaviour, including aggression.
What is the limbic system comprised of? What are the 4 key structures,
and which is the most important for aggression? VERIFIED
ANSWERCingulate gyrus, septal area, thalamus, hippocampus,
amygdala, hypothalamus
Key areas
*H*ypothalamus
*A*mygdala
*T*halamus
*HIPPO*campus
- H.A.T. Hippo
Amygdala is most important for aggression.
What is the function of the hippocampus? How does this relate to
aggression? VERIFIED ANSWER• Associated mainly w. memory and
spatial navigation
,•Formation of memories, detection of surroundings
Relates to aggression as damage of hippocampus can cause hyperactivity
(could lead to increased chance of aggressive behaviour) and affect
ability to inhibit previously learned responses - may not inhibit
aggressive responses.
What is the function of the hypothalamus? How does this relate to
aggression? VERIFIED ANSWER• Controls certain metabolic
processes, secretes neurohormeones which control pituitary hormones,
controls body temp, circadian rhythm and *mediation of emotional
responses* - such as aggression.
What is the function of the amygdala? How does this relate to
aggression? VERIFIED ANSWER• Called the "aggression centre" in the
limbic system
• Responsible for the perception of emotions and controlling aggression
• Size of amygdala is positively correlated with increased aggression and
physical behaviour
∴, reactivity of amygdala may be an important predictor of reactive
aggressive behaviour
What is the function of the thalamus? VERIFIED ANSWERResponsible
for relaying information from the sensory receptors to proper areas of
the brain where it can be processed
,What did Gospic et al. (2011) do, what did they find, and what can be
concluded from their research? - (money) VERIFIED ANSWER•
Assessed aggression using the Ultimatum Game: 2 players (1 called
Proposer, other called Responder). Proposer offers to split money w.
Responder. Responder accepts (non-aggressive) - both receive money.
Declines (aggressive) - neither get money.
• Scanned their brains using fMRI whilst playing.
Findings:
• When ppts rejected unfair offers (the aggressive move) scans revealed
a fast and heightened response by amygdala
• Taking benzodiazepine (reduces arousal of ANS) before game had 2
effects on responses to unfair offers:
- Halved number of rejections (reduced aggression)
- Decreased activity of the amygdala
Conclusion
• Strong evidence of an association between reactive aggression and
amygdala activity - suggests that amygdala is involved in aggression.
What are the 2 evaluation points for the neural mechanisms in
aggression (limbic system)? VERIFIED ANSWER *Research
support*
Gospic et al. (2011) - see previous flashcard
*Role of other brain structures*
, • Amygdala doesn't act in isolation - functions within the orbitofrontal
cortex (OFC) - not part of the limbic system.
• OFC thought to be involved in self-control, impulse regulation and
inhibition of aggressive behaviour.
• *Coccaro et al (2007)* - found that in patients with psychiatric
disorders that prominently feature aggression, activity in the OFC is
reduced, disrupting its impulse-control function - thus leading to
aggression.
• Regulation of aggression is highly complex and involves multiple
neural structures - just blaming amygdala is reductionist. (could limit
treatment?)
What is serotonin? VERIFIED ANSWERA neurotransmitter with
widespread inhibitory effects throughout the brain; slows down and
dampens neuronal activity. Has a key role in aggressive behaviour.
What are normal levels of serotonin in the OFC linked with? And what
are low levels linked with? VERIFIED ANSWERNormal levels of
serotonin in the OFC exert a calming, inhibitory effect on neuronal
firing - leads to a greater degree of behavioural self-control.
Decreased levels - less inhibition of amygdala, reducing self-control and
leading to an increase in impulsive behaviour (including aggression).
What are the 2 evaluation points for neural mechanisms in aggression
(serotonin)? VERIFIED ANSWER *Research Support*
Virkkunen et al. (1994).
A-LEVEL PAPER 3 EXAM WITH QUESTIONS AND 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS UPDATED 2025
What is the limbic system? (neural & hormonal mechanisms)
VERIFIED ANSWERSubcortical structures in the brain (including the
hypothalamus and the amygdala) thought to be closely involved in
regulating emotional behaviour, including aggression.
What is the limbic system comprised of? What are the 4 key structures,
and which is the most important for aggression? VERIFIED
ANSWERCingulate gyrus, septal area, thalamus, hippocampus,
amygdala, hypothalamus
Key areas
*H*ypothalamus
*A*mygdala
*T*halamus
*HIPPO*campus
- H.A.T. Hippo
Amygdala is most important for aggression.
What is the function of the hippocampus? How does this relate to
aggression? VERIFIED ANSWER• Associated mainly w. memory and
spatial navigation
,•Formation of memories, detection of surroundings
Relates to aggression as damage of hippocampus can cause hyperactivity
(could lead to increased chance of aggressive behaviour) and affect
ability to inhibit previously learned responses - may not inhibit
aggressive responses.
What is the function of the hypothalamus? How does this relate to
aggression? VERIFIED ANSWER• Controls certain metabolic
processes, secretes neurohormeones which control pituitary hormones,
controls body temp, circadian rhythm and *mediation of emotional
responses* - such as aggression.
What is the function of the amygdala? How does this relate to
aggression? VERIFIED ANSWER• Called the "aggression centre" in the
limbic system
• Responsible for the perception of emotions and controlling aggression
• Size of amygdala is positively correlated with increased aggression and
physical behaviour
∴, reactivity of amygdala may be an important predictor of reactive
aggressive behaviour
What is the function of the thalamus? VERIFIED ANSWERResponsible
for relaying information from the sensory receptors to proper areas of
the brain where it can be processed
,What did Gospic et al. (2011) do, what did they find, and what can be
concluded from their research? - (money) VERIFIED ANSWER•
Assessed aggression using the Ultimatum Game: 2 players (1 called
Proposer, other called Responder). Proposer offers to split money w.
Responder. Responder accepts (non-aggressive) - both receive money.
Declines (aggressive) - neither get money.
• Scanned their brains using fMRI whilst playing.
Findings:
• When ppts rejected unfair offers (the aggressive move) scans revealed
a fast and heightened response by amygdala
• Taking benzodiazepine (reduces arousal of ANS) before game had 2
effects on responses to unfair offers:
- Halved number of rejections (reduced aggression)
- Decreased activity of the amygdala
Conclusion
• Strong evidence of an association between reactive aggression and
amygdala activity - suggests that amygdala is involved in aggression.
What are the 2 evaluation points for the neural mechanisms in
aggression (limbic system)? VERIFIED ANSWER *Research
support*
Gospic et al. (2011) - see previous flashcard
*Role of other brain structures*
, • Amygdala doesn't act in isolation - functions within the orbitofrontal
cortex (OFC) - not part of the limbic system.
• OFC thought to be involved in self-control, impulse regulation and
inhibition of aggressive behaviour.
• *Coccaro et al (2007)* - found that in patients with psychiatric
disorders that prominently feature aggression, activity in the OFC is
reduced, disrupting its impulse-control function - thus leading to
aggression.
• Regulation of aggression is highly complex and involves multiple
neural structures - just blaming amygdala is reductionist. (could limit
treatment?)
What is serotonin? VERIFIED ANSWERA neurotransmitter with
widespread inhibitory effects throughout the brain; slows down and
dampens neuronal activity. Has a key role in aggressive behaviour.
What are normal levels of serotonin in the OFC linked with? And what
are low levels linked with? VERIFIED ANSWERNormal levels of
serotonin in the OFC exert a calming, inhibitory effect on neuronal
firing - leads to a greater degree of behavioural self-control.
Decreased levels - less inhibition of amygdala, reducing self-control and
leading to an increase in impulsive behaviour (including aggression).
What are the 2 evaluation points for neural mechanisms in aggression
(serotonin)? VERIFIED ANSWER *Research Support*
Virkkunen et al. (1994).
