Aggression

• What in the biological approach influences aggression?

  Evolution

  Brain

  Genetics

  Neurochemistry
• What are the strengths?

  Create drugs that can reduce aggression - understanding hormones and neurotransmitters

  Brain scans show amygdala activity - angry faces shown - more sensitive - cocarado 2007 - biology is a key factor
• What is the weakness?

  Biological factors interact - brain structure and hormones interact but also non - biological ones (social) - complex causes of aggression
• How does evolution explain aggression?

  survival of the fittest - passing down genes that influence behaviours that are key for survival - one of these could have been aggression - help us keep mates and fight off predators
• How does the brain influence aggression?

  Limbic system - amygdala - more sensitive = more aggressive - linked with responses to aggression - more sensitive the amygdala the more quickly you react to threatening stimuli
• How does neurochemistry influence biology? 


  Hormones

  Testosterone - men more aggressive than women - they have higher levels of testosterone - in male development they have higher levels of testosterone and are more aggressive

  Dopamine - brains reward chemical - want to win a battle - so you use aggressive behaviour

  Serotonin - found in orbital frontal cortex - low levels lead to emotional instability - more aggressive

  Cortisol - linked with testosterone - low levels of cortisol means testosterone can influence aggression but high levels of cortisol block testosterone
• How does genetics influence aggression?

  MAOA gene - enzyme that sweeps up neurotransmitters - low activity enzyme can cause disruption in neurotransmitters functions - aggressive

  SRY gene - males and testis development triggers development of testosterone