Limbic system and serotonin

• Limbic system

  involved in processing emotional responses

  cingulate gyrus, hypothalamus, thalamus and amygdala

  amygdala has strong connection to aggression responding to environmental threats

  orbito-frontal cortex is involved in self-control, impulses regulation and inhibition of aggressive behaviour
• serotonin

  neurotransmitter for communication

  thought to inhibit aggressive behaviour

  decreased levels of serotonin reduce self-control and lead to an increase in impulsive behaviour e.g aggression
• evaluation

  research- Rine et al scanned brains of 41 murders PET scans showed they had abnormality's in the limbic system

  weakness- limbic system lots of components

  problems with cause and effect aggression caused by abnormalities or other way around

  bio reductionism