Neural and Hormonal Aggression
Published on Feb 13, 2020
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
The Amygdala
evaluates sensory information - prompts a response. Removing amygdala = no aggression
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The Hippocampus
INVOLVED IN LTM. IMPAIRED HIPPOCAMPUS STOPS NERVOUS SYSTEM PUTTING STIMULI INTO CONTEXT - INNAPROPRIATE RESPONSE.
Serotonin
neurotransmitter - inhibits responses to stimuli. Low levels associated with aggression
Low brain serotonin makes communication between the limbic system and the frontal lobes weaker. Meaning it is more difficult for the pre-frontal cortex to control emotional responses to anger that are generated within the amygdala.
Testosterone
Male sex hormone. Influence aggression from puberty onwards. peak in tesosterone - peak in aggression
Research support for the Amygdala
Pardini, longitudinal study, 56 males, MRI showed smaller amygdala = higher aggression
Research support for the Hippocampus
RAINE, ASYMMETRICAL HIPPOCAMPUS IN UNSUCCESSFUL CRIMINALS BUT NOT IN SUCCESSFUL ONES - CAUSED BY INAPPORPRIATE RESPONSES
Research support for the role of Serotonin
Mann, 35 pps given dexfenfluramine - depletes serotonin - this increased aggression but only in males.
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Research support for the role of testosterone
Dabbs, measured testosterone in violent and non-violent criminals. Violent ones had higher testosterone - correlation
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Inconclusive evidence from research into testosterone
Albert, suggests some studies show no link. Methodological issues such as the severity of crime, small samples, self-reports
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