AGRESSION (AQA PSYCHOLOGY) EXAM ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS 100% GUARANTEED PASS
(Neuronal and hormonal explanations)
What did Papez (1937) and Maclean (1952) identify in the limbic system?
Cingulate gyrus, hypothalumus, fornum and amygdala
How is the amygdala an important prediction of aggression?
Its speed and sensitivity of responses to stimuli can be used as a predictor
What did Gospic et al (2011) do and what did they find?
They carried out fMRI scans on ppts in a lab based gake that provoked aggression. The scans showed
aggressive reactions were associated with a fast and heightened response by the amygdala
What effect did Benzodiazepine have on the amygdalas reactivity?
It halved the number of aggressive reactions and also decreased amygdala activity (Benzodiazepine
reduces arousal of the ANS)
What effect does serotonin levels in the orbitofrontal cotex have on aggression ?
Normal levels- inhibitory and linked with reduced firing of neurons and associated with greater
behavioral self control
, Low levels- reduces self control and increases impulsive behaviours including aggression (Denson et al
2012)
What did Virkkunen et al (1994) study and what did they find?
They compared levels of a serotonin metabolite in cerebrospinal fluid of violent impulsive and non
violent impulsive offenders
Levels were significantly lower in impulsive offenders- disturbance of pattern implies disruption of
serotonin functioning
What is testosterone and what does it do?
Its a hormone responsible for the development of masculine features. It helps regulate social behaviour
via influence on areas of brain involved in aggression
What did Dolan et al (2001) find in relation to aggression in prison?
They found a +ve correlation between testosterone levels and aggressive behaviours in UK male
offenders in max security hospitals.
Most suffered from personality disorders and had histories of impulsively violent behaviour
What do animal studies show with the link of testosterone and aggression?
They show experimental increases in testosterone are related to aggressive behaviour
(Evaluation) Limitation of limbic system- excludes other possbilities
Amygdala functions in tandem with the orbitofrontal cortex to maintain self controland inhibit
aggression. Coccaro et al (2007) showed OFC activity reduced in patients with psychodynamic disorders
featuring aggression. Shows regulation of aggression cannot be explained by limbic system alone.
Strength- supporting evidence for role of serotonin
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS 100% GUARANTEED PASS
(Neuronal and hormonal explanations)
What did Papez (1937) and Maclean (1952) identify in the limbic system?
Cingulate gyrus, hypothalumus, fornum and amygdala
How is the amygdala an important prediction of aggression?
Its speed and sensitivity of responses to stimuli can be used as a predictor
What did Gospic et al (2011) do and what did they find?
They carried out fMRI scans on ppts in a lab based gake that provoked aggression. The scans showed
aggressive reactions were associated with a fast and heightened response by the amygdala
What effect did Benzodiazepine have on the amygdalas reactivity?
It halved the number of aggressive reactions and also decreased amygdala activity (Benzodiazepine
reduces arousal of the ANS)
What effect does serotonin levels in the orbitofrontal cotex have on aggression ?
Normal levels- inhibitory and linked with reduced firing of neurons and associated with greater
behavioral self control
, Low levels- reduces self control and increases impulsive behaviours including aggression (Denson et al
2012)
What did Virkkunen et al (1994) study and what did they find?
They compared levels of a serotonin metabolite in cerebrospinal fluid of violent impulsive and non
violent impulsive offenders
Levels were significantly lower in impulsive offenders- disturbance of pattern implies disruption of
serotonin functioning
What is testosterone and what does it do?
Its a hormone responsible for the development of masculine features. It helps regulate social behaviour
via influence on areas of brain involved in aggression
What did Dolan et al (2001) find in relation to aggression in prison?
They found a +ve correlation between testosterone levels and aggressive behaviours in UK male
offenders in max security hospitals.
Most suffered from personality disorders and had histories of impulsively violent behaviour
What do animal studies show with the link of testosterone and aggression?
They show experimental increases in testosterone are related to aggressive behaviour
(Evaluation) Limitation of limbic system- excludes other possbilities
Amygdala functions in tandem with the orbitofrontal cortex to maintain self controland inhibit
aggression. Coccaro et al (2007) showed OFC activity reduced in patients with psychodynamic disorders
featuring aggression. Shows regulation of aggression cannot be explained by limbic system alone.
Strength- supporting evidence for role of serotonin
