Key question - What are the implications for society if
aggression is found to be caused by nature not nurture?
Content:
Football stars showing aggression in sports.
Luis Suarez gained infamy in 2014 in Brazil after being accused of biting an opposing player for
the third time in his football career.
Suarez received a 4 month ban from all football as punishment for his alleged actions.
1998 David Beckham was sent off after kicking another player and received a red card during the
World Cup Final 2006 after headbutting an opponent.
Footballers have to think quickly and react to situations as they arise on the pitch, so they are
naturally very impulsive.
But does this same impulsivity that creates successful footballers, also create aggressive
individuals who are ticking time bombs of aggression if placed in the wrong situation?
Implications of Society:
Imprisonment may not be ethical, should
Real Life Examples:
people be punished if they can’t help it?
Aggression to Asian people due to Covid.
Discrimination against groups of people.
Stabbing on New Years Eve.
Can help identify factors leading to
Random attacks on Italians at the end of
aggression and combat it.
the Euros 2021.
Should it be treated as a mental health
issue?
Obital Frontal Cortex (OFC):
Analyses environment to assess the behaviour - impulses and decision making.
Amygdala:
In the limbic system and linked to aggression - responses to the environment.
OFC sends signal to amygdala which sends signal to relevant hormones and parts of
Brain Structures
the brain.
Rechecks with the OFC before letting out a response.
Suarez could have a damaged pre-frontal cortex which damages the loop so he
cannot respond appropriately to the football players.
Becomes more aggressive and starts to bite his opponents.
Natural and Sexual Selection:
Darwin and survival of the fittest - aggression can help for adaption.
Males are more physically aggressive for things like hunting and attracting a mate.
Evolutionary
Through evolution, Beckham and Suarez are more physically aggressive because they
Explanation
have adopted it through evolution.
Biting, punching and headbutting - show dominance and attraction (Victoria
Beckham could have been in the crowd).
aggression is found to be caused by nature not nurture?
Content:
Football stars showing aggression in sports.
Luis Suarez gained infamy in 2014 in Brazil after being accused of biting an opposing player for
the third time in his football career.
Suarez received a 4 month ban from all football as punishment for his alleged actions.
1998 David Beckham was sent off after kicking another player and received a red card during the
World Cup Final 2006 after headbutting an opponent.
Footballers have to think quickly and react to situations as they arise on the pitch, so they are
naturally very impulsive.
But does this same impulsivity that creates successful footballers, also create aggressive
individuals who are ticking time bombs of aggression if placed in the wrong situation?
Implications of Society:
Imprisonment may not be ethical, should
Real Life Examples:
people be punished if they can’t help it?
Aggression to Asian people due to Covid.
Discrimination against groups of people.
Stabbing on New Years Eve.
Can help identify factors leading to
Random attacks on Italians at the end of
aggression and combat it.
the Euros 2021.
Should it be treated as a mental health
issue?
Obital Frontal Cortex (OFC):
Analyses environment to assess the behaviour - impulses and decision making.
Amygdala:
In the limbic system and linked to aggression - responses to the environment.
OFC sends signal to amygdala which sends signal to relevant hormones and parts of
Brain Structures
the brain.
Rechecks with the OFC before letting out a response.
Suarez could have a damaged pre-frontal cortex which damages the loop so he
cannot respond appropriately to the football players.
Becomes more aggressive and starts to bite his opponents.
Natural and Sexual Selection:
Darwin and survival of the fittest - aggression can help for adaption.
Males are more physically aggressive for things like hunting and attracting a mate.
Evolutionary
Through evolution, Beckham and Suarez are more physically aggressive because they
Explanation
have adopted it through evolution.
Biting, punching and headbutting - show dominance and attraction (Victoria
Beckham could have been in the crowd).
