Hormonal

• Testosterone

  • Released by glands (Testes, Adrenal glands.)
  • Linked to an increase in aggression, particularly in males.
  • Removing testes in many species decreases aggression while injecting testosterone increases aggression.
• Strength - Support for testosterone

  Dabbs) Conducted a correlational study of 89 prisoners. Increases in testosterone levels led to higher levels of aggression, showing a positive correlation.

  -> Further support comes from studies showing men are more aggressive than women.
• Limitation - Correlation doesn't equal causation


  Studies like Dabb's only find a correlation but not a direct causation between the two variables. This means a cause-and-effect relationship cannot be established between testosterone & aggression.

  -> Furthermore, study outcomes about the relationship are not consistent (lack reliability) and some say there is no correlation.