What levels of Seretonin/Dopamine might encourage Aggression?

Low Levels of Seretonin

High levels of Dopamine

What levels of Testosterone/Cortisol encourage Aggression?

High levels of Testosterone

Low levels of Cortisol

How might low levels of Seretonin encourage Aggression?

Seretonin reduces aggression by inhibiting responses to emotional stimuli which would produce an aggressive response. Therefore low levels of seretonin mean that aggressive responses are not inhibited

How might high levels of Dopamine encourage Aggression?

Increases in Dopamine have been associated with an increase in Aggressive behaviour.

How might high levels of Testosterone encourage Aggression?

Increases Aggression in males from a young age.

How might low levels of Cortisol encourage Aggression?

Cortisol inhibits testosterone and so inhibits aggression. When cortisol levels are low, testosterone levels are higher.

Name 3 Psychologists supporting Neurotransmitters affecting Aggression?

(Initials: M, R, L)

Mann et al.

Raleigh et al.

Lavine

Why does Mann et al. support Neurotransmitters affecting Aggression?

Gave participants a drug reducing seretonin and used a questionnaire to assess their aggression levels. Found an increase in aggression in males but not females.

Why does Raleigh et al. support Neurotransmitters affecting Aggression?

Fed monkeys on a special diet which increased seretonin levels and observed decreased rates of aggression.

Why does Lavine support Neurotransmitters affecting Aggression?

Found that drugs which increase dopamine levels, also increased aggression.

What is one IDA criticism of Neurotransmitters affecting Aggression?

Reductionist as it reduces the complexity of human behaviour down to biology which is not a sufficient enough explanation on it's own.

Name 3 Psychologists supporting Hormones affecting aggression?

(Initials: D, L, M)

Dabbs et al.

Lindman et al.

McBurnett et al.

Why does Dabbs et al. support Hormones affecting aggression?

Measured the amount of testosterone in men's saliva, in violent and non-violent criminals. Found that those with the highest amount of testosterone had histories of the mainly violent crimes.

Why does Lindman et al. support Hormones affecting aggression?

Found that young males who act aggressive when drunk have higher testosterone levels than those who are not aggressive.

Why does McBurnett et al. support Hormones affecting aggression?

Completed a 4 year study of boys with behavioural problems and found those with low cortisol levels, showed aggressive behaviour from a young age which continued into their older years.

Name a Psychologist criticising Hormones affecting aggression and one IDA point?

(A, GB)

Albert et al.

Gender Bias

Why does Albert et al. criticise Hormones affecting aggression?

Argues that evidence is inconsistent and lots of research also shows no link between testosterone levels and aggression.

Why is Gender Bias an issue for Hormones affecting aggression?

Some studies have shown associated between testosterone levels and aggression to be higher in females than males.