Neural Mechanisms in Aggression
- Created by: aliyah007
- Created on: 08-06-16 11:01
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- Neural Mechanisms in Aggression
- Various brain structures that have been implicated in aggression
- Research has found that direct stimulation of the amygdala in hamsters produces aggressive behaviour. Amygdala is more active when they are under threat
- These include: the amygdala, hypothalamus frontal lobe
- Neuro-transmitters
- Are chemicals that send messages from one area of the brain to another
- Research suggests that 3 neurotransmitters in particular are implicated in aggression
- Serotonin, dopamine & noradrenaline
- Serotonin - plays a role in emotions; such as impulsive aggression
- Serotonin, dopamine & noradrenaline
- Research suggests that 3 neurotransmitters in particular are implicated in aggression
- Are chemicals that send messages from one area of the brain to another
- Raine
- Compared brain structures using PET scans. Murderers brains more active on the right whilst control group was equal on either sides
- Scientific validity
- Higely
- Studied behaviour of 28 monkeys
- observers asked to rate the monkeys in order from the least aggressive to the most aggressive
- They then measured the levels of serotonin by taking samples from their cerebrospinal fluid
- A strong negative correlation was found: most aggressive monkeys had the lowest levels of serotonin
- Anthropomorphism. Animalistic research, cannot be generalised to humans
- Evolutionary psychologists would argue that the same basic principles would apply to all species
- Research replicated on humans. DAVIDSON found lower levels of serotonin in violent criminals compared to non-violent ones
- Evolutionary psychologists would argue that the same basic principles would apply to all species
- correlation does not = causation
- Reductionist. The interconnectedness of the brain is oversimplified
- use of case studies: brain damaged patients - unique cases
- Real world applications
- If aggressive behaviour is a result of imbalanced neurotransmitter levels then we should be able to treat this by prescribing serotonin increasing drugs.
- Successfully used in aggressive patients suffering from dementia
- If aggressive behaviour is a result of imbalanced neurotransmitter levels then we should be able to treat this by prescribing serotonin increasing drugs.
- Various brain structures that have been implicated in aggression
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