Neural

• Limbic System

  Hypothalamus - Controls the production of aggression via fight & flight response.

  
  

  Amygdala - The amygdala determines the emotional meaning of an event. If it's bad -> sends an impulse to the hypothalamus to produce aggression. If not -> inhibits impulses.

  
  

  Hippocampus - Helps the amygdala by providing context to a situation via our long-term memories. Determines whether aggression is warranted based on past experiences.
• Frontal cortex (Not part of the L.S)

  Considering social norms & consequences, the frontal cortex determines whether it's appropriate to display aggression.

  
  

  If it determines that it is inappropriate, it inhibits the amygdala from sending signals to the hypothalamus to reduce aggressive response.
• Strength - Support for the role of the amygdala


  A case study of a 14-year-old girl with unnatural aggression revealed a tumour pressing on her amygdala. This increased amygdala activity, sending more signals to the hypothalamus and causing aggressive behavior.-> This highlights how the amygdala directly influences aggression through its connection to the hypothalamus.
• Strength - Support for the role of the amygdala (2)


  Research was done on patients who had terrible seizures due to abnormal levels of activity in their amygdala.

  -> Once an amygdalotomy was done, where the amygdala was surgically removed, a decrease in aggression was observed in all patients.
• Serotonin


  Normal levels of serotonin inhibit neuron firing and are linked to greater behavioral self-control.

  Decreased serotonin reduces self-control and increases impulsive behavior (aggression).
• Strength - Serotonin & Aggression are related

  Berman gave 2 groups a placebo and paroxetine (a drug that raises serotonin). The groups given the real drugs showed less aggressive behavior in a lab-based game.

  -> Provides evidence of a connection between serotonin and aggression.