AQA PSYCHOLOGY - AGGRESSION EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE
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)
Davidson et al (2000)
Lenard (2008)
Tesosterone
A hormone found mainly in males that is linked to aggression.
Wagner et al (1979)
AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE
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)
Davidson et al (2000)
Lenard (2008)
Tesosterone
A hormone found mainly in males that is linked to aggression.
Wagner et al (1979)
