Aggresson EOU

Question 1

What are the two neural explanations?

Answer 1

Limbic System
Serotonin

Question 2

Explain the limbic system as a neural explanation:

Answer 2

Situated deep in the brain, includes amygdala
Amygdala quickly evaluates the importance of sensory information, and prompts a response (eg. Aggression)
If the amygdala malfunctions due to a tumour, damage, or atypical development, aggression is more likely.

Question 3

STRENGTH of the limbic system as a neural explanation:

Answer 3

+) Ervin case study of female following electrical stimulation of the amygdala. She showed aggression, like throwing herself at a wall.
This supports the role of the amygdala/limbic system in aggression.
BUT case study.

Question 4

WEAKNESS of the limbic system as a neural explanation:

Answer 4

-) Raine et al -> 41 murderers PET scans showed abnormal amygdala activity AND reduced glucose metabolism in the OFC.
This suggests the limbic system isn’t the only area involved in aggression.

Question 5

Explain serotonin as a neural explanation:

Answer 5

Neurotransmitter.
Normal levels associated with behavioural control, as serotonin inhibits amygdala firing.
So, low serotonin levels mean low behavioural control.. aka aggression.

Question 6

STRENGTH of serotonin as a neural explanation:

Answer 6

SUPPORTS) Raleigh -> gave diets to monkeys.
Those with high tryptophan (increases serotonin) had less aggression.
This suggests that serotonin levels influence aggression.

Question 7

WEAKNESS of serotonin as a neural explanation:

Answer 7

AGAINST) Dukes et al -> serotonin accounts for 1% variance in aggression using a meta-analysis.
This suggests serotonin doesn’t influence aggression much, meaning other factors are involved.

Question 8

Explain serotonin as a neural explanation:

Answer 8

Nayrotransmitter
Normal levels associated with behavioural control, as it inhibits amygdala firing.
So, low levels associated with low behavioural control.. aka aggression.

Question 9

STRENGTH of serotonin as a neural explanation:

Answer 9

Raleigh -> monkeys with high tryptophan (increases serotonin) diets had less aggression.

Question 10

WEAKNESS of serotonin in aggression:

Answer 10

Dukes et al found serotonin accounts for1% variance in aggression using a meta-analysis.
Shows serotonin has a small role in aggression, meaning other factors are involved.

Question 11

Explain HORMONAL aggression explanation

Answer 11

Males have 8x more testosterone than females.
Typically, higher testosterone means higher aggression.
Males ages 15-25 have higher testosterone, and more likely to commit violent crimes.

Question 12

STRENGTH of hormonal explanation of aggression:

Answer 12

Dabbs measures testosterone in the saliva of 692 adult male prisoners, and found higher levels in violent offenders.
Found similar effect in women.. those that committed unprovoked violence had higher testosterone than those that did it in self defence.
Suggests hormones like testosterone influence aggression.

Question 13

WEAKNESS of hormonal explanation of aggression:

Answer 13

Carre found that high testosterone leads to aggression ONLY when cortisol is low.
When cortisol is high, testosterone’s influence on aggression is blocked.
This suggests the link between testosterone and aggression is more complex.

Question 14

Explain Genetic factors in aggression PART 1:

Answer 14

Pure genetic theory says genes cause aggression, and passed down.
In reality, genes indirectly cause aggression structurally (ie. Muscle and bone development) or functionally (neurochemical/ hormone systems).

Question 15

Explain Genetic factors in aggression PART 2:

Answer 15

MAOA gene regulates the MAOA enzyme.
MAOA enzyme breaks down serotonin, noradrenaline, and adrenaline and removes excess amounts to allow neurons to communicate more effectively.
If there is a build-up, aggression may happen.
Dysfunction of the MAOA gene means the enzyme doesn’t regulate serotonin properly and causes aggression.

There is MAOA (L) -> low activity, and MAOA (H) -> high activity.
MAOA (L) means the enzyme is less regulated, so serotonin is less regulated, so there is a build-up and this causes aggression.
SO MAOA(L) causes higher aggression.

Question 16

STRENGTH of genetic factors in aggression:

Answer 16

McDermott -> controlled experimental conditions
Those with MAOA(L) were more likely to force someone to eat hot chilli sauce despite having to pay to punish than those with MAOA(H).
Supports the role of the MAOA (L) gene in aggression.

Question 17

WEAKNESS of genetic factors in aggression:

Answer 17

Caspi -> 500 male children.
MAOA(L) involved in aggression (anti-social behaviour when they grew up) but only when they had been maltreated as children.
This suggests an interactionist approach.

Question 18

Explain the ethological explanation of aggression:

Answer 18

Lorenz suggests aggression is an adaptive instinct to aid survival:
1) ensures strongest and fittest males pass on genes
2) to disperse species members more widely so disease is less impactful
3) help maintain hierarchies in socially organised animals

Ethological explanation suggests animals are born with innate releasing mechanisms (in-built brain structures) that cause a series of fixed action patterns to occur (pre-programmed behaviours) when triggered by a sign stimuli (environmental trigger/ threat).
FAPs are ritualistic, designed to deter other males from removing female access and preventing fees passing on.
Lorenz believe appeasement displays (surrender) are shown rather than fights to prevent the species dying out.
Ritualistic signals only occur for a certain amount of time, as there’s only a certain amount of action-specific energy dedicated to them.
Once aggression is complete, aggression reduces as energy resources are used up.

Lorenz’s hydraulic model suggests FAPs occur when a sign stimuli is absent if too much ASE builds up.

Question 19

STRENGTH of ethological explanation:

Answer 19

Tinbergen -> During mating season, male sticklebacks will attack a partially red object.
Supports Lorenz ethological explanation as they are innately programmed to respond aggressively if a sign stimuli is present.

Question 20

WEAKNESS of ethological explanation:

Answer 20

Goodall -> male chimpanzees work together to kill conspecifics (members of the same species) despite appeasement displays.
Contradicts Lorenz’s idea that they won’t kill each other because it means a species dies out.
Suggests the explanation is invalid.

Question 21

Explain the evolutionary explanation of aggression:

Answer 21

Present day aggression came about as it was adaptive, as our ancestors had the advantage of survival and passing genes if they showed aggression.
Sexual competition (males completing for female access and passing in genes) and sexual jealousy (fear of threats to status as an exclusive sexual partner) show aggression as evolutionary.
Female infidelity must be deterred as it may lead her to leave him and has the child of another man, and genes won’t be passed on.
Sexual jealousy is adaptive, leading to mate-retention strategies to enance reproduction and avoid cuckoldry (raising offspring of another male).
Females show less aggression as they must survive for their offspring.

Question 22

STRENGTH of Evolutonary explanation:

Answer 22

Puts (males 75% more muscles mass and thicker jaw bones)
Dobash (women beaten by husbands cite extreme jealousy on the part of their husbands as the key cause of aggression)
Daly and Wilson (sexual jealousy underlying factor in 58/214 murder cases. Mate-retention strategies identified as spying, vigilance, guarding etc.)

Question 23

AGAINST evolutionary explanation of aggression:

Answer 23

Archer -> equal assault rates by men and women…
Much evolutionary explanation research is male focused so gender biased.

Question 24

What are the three social psychological explanations of human aggression?

Answer 24

1) The Frustration- Aggression Hypothesis
2) Social Learning Theory
3) De-individuation

Question 25

Explain The Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis (SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPLANATION):

Answer 25

Dollars suggested all aggression was because of frustration. Greater frustration = greater aggression. Aggression occurs when we are prevented from doing something we really want to do. Aggression provides a cathartic effect (emotional release) which thus causes less aggression. Frustration occurs when: Motivation in achieving a goal is strong. When we expect to get what we want. When there is nothing we can do about it. Dollard claims aggression is usually taken out on the source, but if this is impossible or not appropriate, it may be displaced on a scapegoat.

Question 26

STRENGTH of frustration aggression hypothesis (social psychological explanation):

Answer 26

Priks -> football supporters were more likely to throw missiles on the pitch and fight with opposition suooorters when they were frustrated by their team’s poor performance.

Question 27

WEAKNESS of frustration aggression hypothesis (social psychological explanation):

Answer 27

Bushman -> participants that repeatedly hit a punching bag became more aggressive.

Question 28

EXPLAIN the social learning theory in aggression:

Answer 28

We learn aggression through observation. Children watch role models act aggressively and imitate depending on mediational processes. • Attention, retention, reproduction, motivation. Bandura claimed we are more likely to be aggressive is we identify them and vicarious reinforcement, but vicarious punishment reduces likelihood of imitation. If a child develops self-efficacy (confidence in ability to carry out actions) or not may also determine if they continue to imitate a behaviour.

Question 29

STRENGTH and WEAKNESS of SLT in social psychological explanations of aggression:

Answer 29

STRENGTH) Bandura bobo doll -> children imitate aggression of a role model to a doll. WEAKNESS) They don’t fight back. STRENGTH) accounts for cultural differences, we learn in the context of environment.

Question 30

EXPLAIN De-Individuation in social psychological explanations of aggression:

Answer 30

Occurs in large groups of crowds. Zimbardo believed this gives people a cloak of anonymity that diminishes personal consequences for actions. Altered consciousness due to drugs or alcohol are also factors. People normally refrain from aggression due to social norms and identifiability. Large crowds can cause a loss of individuality as there is less concern of negative evaluation and guilt or shame.

Question 31

STRENGTH of de-individuation as a social psychological explanation of aggression:

Answer 31

Zimbardo prison study.. prison guards acted aggressively to prisoners.

Question 32

WEAKNESS of de-individuation as a social psychological explanation of aggression:

Answer 32

Road rage not explained.. identifiable by licence plate

Question 33

What are the 2 models for institutional aggression in the context of prisons?

Answer 33

Importation Model = DISPOSITIONAL explanation Deprivation Model = SITUATIONAL explanation

Question 34

Explain the importation model as a dispositional explanation of aggression in the context of prisons:

Answer 34

Irwin and Cressey suggested prisoners bring their own beliefs, values, norms, characteristics, and violent pasts into the prison to cope with the environment. Agression is a way to establish power, status influence, and resource access. Prisoners aren’t blank slates.. they import the norms developed on the outside into the prison they enter. Previous behaviour may be gang membership, low self-control, impulsivity, anger, and anti-social personality style.

Question 35

STRENGTH of the importation model as a dispositional explanation of aggression in the context of prisons:

Answer 35

Mears et al -> cultural belief systems prisoners had about violence and aggression outside prison correlates to the level of violence in the prison. Practical application of this? Predict the more aggressive ones

Question 36

WEAKNESS of the importation model as a dispositional explanation of aggression in the context of prisons

Answer 36

Much research is on male inmates, so androcentric. Ignores prison environment as a factor.

Question 37

EXPLAIN the deprivation model as a situational explanation for aggression in prisons (institutional aggression):

Answer 37

Sykes said some of the pains associated with prison include loss of freedom, loss of heterosexual relationships, boredom, and lack of security (fear of assault), and over-crowding. Aggression reduces stress, obtain resources, and gain some control over their lives. Overcrowding, heat, noise are most important factors.

Question 38

WEAKNESS of the deprivation model as a situational explanation of aggression in the context of prisons (institutional aggression):

Answer 38

Franklin et al -> overcrowded prisons increase aggression in 18-25 year old prisoners than older ones

Question 39

STRENGTH of the deprivation model as a situational explanation of aggression in the context of prisons (institutional aggression):

Answer 39

McCorkle -> 371 US state prisons. Underlying factors like overcrowding, lack of meaningful activity, and lack of privacy influenced inmate assaults in other inmates and staff (aggression).

Question 40

What are the four types of studies done into research into the effects of computer games on aggression?

Answer 40

Experimental studies Correlation studies Longitudinal studies Meta-analysis

Question 41

Give an EXPERIMENTAL STUDY for research into computer games on aggression:

Answer 41

Anderson et al -> found students that played a violent video game blasted opponents with white noise for longer and rated themselves higher on a hostility scale compared to those who played a slow paced puzzle game.

Question 42

Give an EXPERIMENTAL STUDY STRENGTH and WEAKNESS for research into computer games on aggression:

Answer 42

+) Allows a causal relationship to be established -) artificial

Question 43

Give a CORRELATION STUDY for research into computer games on aggression:

Answer 43

DeLisi et al -> 227 juvenile offenders with aggressive history. Found that aggression was significantly correlated to how long they played violent video games and how much they enjoyed them.

Question 44

Give a CORRELATIONAL STUDY STRENGTH and WEAKNESS for research into computer games on aggression:

Answer 44

+) realistic forms of aggression studied (offenders) -) can’t draw cause and effect

Question 45

Give a LONGITUDINAL STUDY for research into computer games on aggression:

Answer 45

Anderson et al -> 430 7-9 year olds surveyed at two points in school year. Children with high violent video and computer game exposure were more aggressive (rats by themselves, peers, and teachers).

Question 46

Give a LONGITUDINAL STUDY STRENGTH and WEAKNESS for research into computer games on aggression:

Answer 46

+) long-term studied shows dynamic nature of media influences.. aggression over time -) subjective information gathered from children

Question 47

Give an Meta-analysis for research into computer games on aggression:

Answer 47

Greitmeyer found a link between violent video and computer gameplay. As games have gotten more violent over time, so had aggression when played.

Question 48

What are the three explanations for media influences of aggression?

Answer 48

Desensitisation Disinhibition Cognitive priming

Question 49

Explain desensitisation in explanations for media influences in aggression:

Answer 49

Violence over time diminishes our physiological arousal to it.. less negative attitudes to it, less empathy for victims, injuries minimised/ dismissed. Empathy for people in pain inhibits aggression but related exposures dulls are empathy and people aren’t inhibited from aggression as much.

Question 50

STRENGTH for desensitisation in explanations for media influences in aggression:

Answer 50

Bushman -> Ps took longer to geo someone injured in a fight playing 20 minutes of a violent video game than a non-violent one.

Question 51

WEAKNESS for desensitisation in explanations for media influences in aggression:

Answer 51

We aren’t all affected equally, implying individual differences in desensitisation experienced, so other factors involved.

Question 52

Disinhibition in explanations for media influences in aggression:

Answer 52

Berkowitz claimed aggressive impulses are usually held in check, but if we are taught aggression is the social norm by repeated exposure, it legitimises and socially sanctions the behaviour.

Question 53

WEAKNESS for disinhibition in explanations for media influences in aggression:

Answer 53

Cant apply widespread, as the extent we are involved in media varies, eg. Introverts may use media more.

Question 54

STRENGTH for disinhibition in explanations for media influences in aggression:

Answer 54

Goranson -> Ps shown boxing match with death were less likely to be aggressive and Ps shown no consequence were more likely to be aggressive.

Question 55

Explain cognitive priming in explanations for media influences in aggression:

Answer 55

Repeated exposure to violence means children store scripts for aggression in memories, which may be recalled later if any aspect of the original situation is present.

Question 56

STRENGTH of cognitive priming in explanations for media influences in aggression:

Answer 56

Anderson and Dill -> people playing violent games had more cognitively accessible aggressive thoughts than non-violent game players.

Question 57

WEAKNESS of cognitive priming in explanations for media influences in aggression:

Answer 57

Hard to establish cause and effect.