ao3 neural and hormonal in aggression

• support for the role of serotonin in development of aggression. Berman -gave either paroxetine (drug which enhances serotonin activity) or a placebo to participants, and asked them to take part in a game where they gave/received electric shocks. The group which took paroxetine consistently gave fewer and less intense shocks than placebo group . Since enhancing serotonin activity led to less aggression being shown through fewer shocks given (perhaps due to more self-control), we can infer that low serotonin could lead to less self-control and more aggression. increases validity
• practical app

  Badawy -found that alcohol consumption caused major disturbances in metabolism of serotonin. In particular, short term alcohol intake depleted serotonin levels in normal individuals, leading to aggression

  This has led to practical applications as it informs people that those with naturally aggressive tendencies should try hard to reduce alcohol intake and binge drinking habits in order to prevent depletion of serotonin and to curb their aggressive behaviour.

  Understanding role of serotonin in aggression can thus help control aggression and help improve lives
• strength of the hormonal explanation, supporting evidence.

  Dabbs et al measured levels of testosterone in the saliva of 692 criminals and found that those with the highest levels of testosterone had a history of violent crimes, whereas those with the lowest levels were more likely to have committed non-violent crimes.

  This shows that testosterone has an impact on aggression, as a high level of the hormone means one is more likely to commit violent crimes and be aggressive.

  This increases validity of hormones in aggression
•  A weakness of the hormonal explanation, reductionist. oversimplifies the cause of aggression down to simplistic biological factors like the levels of chemicals like testosterone.

  disregards the impact of environmental factors like aggressive role models. Bandura- Bobo doll study that the children who watched aggressive role models were more likely to show aggression themselves than those who saw non-aggressive role models.

  experiences and role models also lead to aggressive behaviour, and since the hormonal explanation does not take into account

  can be seen as incomplete, less validity
• deterministic -does not acknowledge free will and says human aggression is solely driven by levels of chemicals in our body. You attend anger management therapy preventing aggressive behaviour as you are aware of impaired control