Hormones as an explanation of aggression (AO3)

• How is Dabbs study supporting evidence?

  > 10/11 inmates who were violent had higher testosterone levels

  > Proves that higher levels arelinked to violence

  > Measured using objective data from saliva samples
• How is Higleys study refuting evidence?

  > Individuals with elevated testosterone levels exhibit signs of aggression but rarely commit aggressive acts; social and cognitive factors play a mediating role

  > Higher testosterone doesn't lead to violence acts, other factors play a role
• How is Bartzman's study supporting evidence?

  > Cortisol levels in 17 7-9 year old boys, who were aggressive, showed a greater morning-to-evening

  > Objective data is free from any researcher bias which increases credibility
• How does it lose credibility?

  > Link between hormones and aggression is typically correlational, doesn't allow for cause and effect statements

  > Direction of effects is unclear

  > High levels could be the result of aggression, not the cause
• How does it produce objective evidence?

  > Barzman + Dabbs use standardised tests of saliva

  > Carefully controlled

  > Credibility
• How is it reductionist?

  > Theories of human aggression are separated into hormones

  > Doesn't factor in other factors such as social factors