PLANNED questions

• Evaluate one twin study in biological psychology :

  Ao1:

  • Lacourse 2014 aimed to look at genetic and environmental issues underlaying the development of physical aggression from infancy to when a child is at school age
  • Procedure involved using MZ and DZ twins about their phsyical aggression collected Quebec newborn twin study at 19 months, 31 months and 50 months.
  • measured physical aggression with a questionnaire with a likert scale given to their mothers
  • Found that MZ twins were more likely to both show the same scores than DZ twin as MZ correlated at 0.68 to 0.72
  • it was concluded that early onset of physical aggression was explained by genetic factors which declined over time
• Evaluate one twin study in biological psychology:

  AO3

  • An issues with Lacourse 2014 is that it used a self report questionnaire which could have elements of social desirability bias- mothers not telling truth therefore making the findings invalid and not a true representation
  • Although
  • The size of the sample gathered lots of information making it representative of population as a whole and increasing its population validity
• Discuss the key question you have studied from biological psychology.

  What are the implications for society if aggression is caused by nature not nurture?

  AO1:

  • nature view of aggression is behaviour that cannot be controlled such as differences in brain activity
  • where as nurture view of aggression implies that the situational environment is a key factor in aggressive behaviour ie. stress
  • this is important as 1.28 million deaths are carried out through violence every year These deaths aren't evenly spread. For example, you are 25 times more likely to be murdered in Brazil than in the UK.
  • raises issues if aggression comes from nature should people be punished for something they cant control
• Discuss the key question you have studied from biological psychology.

  AO2

  • evolution- impulsivity is a survival mechanism to avoid threat which has led to evolving self restraint- living with other people to control our impulsivity- impulse control found in PFC as found by Raine where violent behaviour said to be linked to damage to PFC
  • Hormones- high levels of testosterone linked to dominance and competitiveness which may account for males being more aggressive- links to sportsmen
  • warrior gene- MAOA gene linked to aggression and impulse aggression
  • implications for society- are criminals responsible for their behaviour? and is punishment therefore in just. Can this help a person be identified as at risk of aggression and develop mechanisms to prevent it- helping society
• Evaluate the classic study by Raine 1997:

  AO1

  • Raine aimed to see if murders has brain dysfunction in their PFC and other areas associated with violent behaviour compared to a group of non murderers
  • Used 41 NGRI murderers and a control group of who were matched for sex and age
  • both groups were given an injection of a glucose tracer and both carried out a continuous performance task for 32 minutes and did a PET scan
  • NGRI has lower glucose metabolism in the PFC, parietal areas and corpus callosum and showed increased amygdala activity in the right hemisphere compared to decreased in the left
• Evaluate the classic study by Raine 1997:

  AO3

  • is highly reliable as uses PET scans which are standardised. Each participant received same procedure in measuring aggression showing the role of brain function
  • but
  • due to the 41 NGRI murders possibly being in a dysfunctional state of mind is it ethical to allow them to provide informed consent
  • are they really aware of what Raine is measuring- unethical
• Evaluate Freud’s psychodynamic explanation of aggression.

  AO1:

  • Freud states that the unconscious has a powerful role in aggressive instincts as our ID obeys the pleasure principle of aggressive urges
  • Our EGO does not fulfil these aggressive urges
  • Our SUPEREGO represents our conscience and moral sense of right or wrong
  • He argue that if someone prevents aggression a build up of energy will eventually outburst towards others or inwards to yourself - catharsis
• Evaluate Freud's psychodynamic explanation of aggression

  AO3

  • his idea of catharsis can be applied to therapies reducing anger- by venting it outwards, theory of displacement hitting an object not a person. So it therefore provides a practical solution to reducing aggressive behaviour
  • however,
  • his concepts are not measurable and cannot be rigorously tested due to them being unscientific- for example the unconscious is unreachable by normal meals so lacks scientific credibility
• Evaluate the use of correlational method

  AO1

  • correlational research measures the relationship between two variables
  • the results of the research gathered can be represented on a scatter diagram- showing the direction which may be positive meaning as one variable increases the other does too
  • a correlation can be strong or weak which will highlight the strength of the relationship between the two variables
• Evaluate the use of correlational method

  AO3

  • there are no participant variables as the same participant gives both scores, improving the reliability of the data as no situational differences will be effecting whats being measured
  • however,
  • it only suggests a relationship between the two things it does not mean the two variables are casually related the results may be due to change
• Assess whether hormones can fully explain human behaviour such as aggression.

  AO1:

  • the endocrine glands manufacture a variety of hormones
  • male sex hormone testosterone becomes heightened at puberty
  • testosterone has a role of regulating social behaviour through its influence on areas in the brain ie. frontal cortex and amygdala
  • it works with cortisol as low levels of cortisol inhibits aggression increasing testosterone levels- violent behaviour
• Assess whether hormones can fully explain human behaviour such as aggression.

  AO3

  • Dabbs and Hargrove 1997 found a positive correlation between the hormone testosterone and the degree of violent crime in 87 female prisoners
  • suggesting hormones play a role in aggression
  • although,
  • data such as above and others to support is correlational which limits the cause and effect conclusions which can be drawn and ignores the role of others transmitters which my be involved
  • this is important when treating aggressive offenders
• Evaluate the biological contemporary study:

  AO1

  • Brendgen 2015 aimed to find out if there is a difference between physical and social aggression in 6 year old children
  • used 234 pairs of twins of MZ and DZ, that has entered the quebec twin study. The teachers questionnaires asked them to rate each child on a 3 point scale with 3 statements for physical and 3 for social aggression. Also carried out peer rating where the classmates where shown photos and asked to circle who best fit the descriptions of social and physical aggression
  • found that- social aggression was rates at 20% by teachers and 23% from peers. Physical aggression was rated as more genetically influenced than social, environment has a role in social behaviours
  • concluded that genetic characteristics predispose some children to aggressive behaviour
• Evaluate the biological contemporary study:

  AO3

  • has high levels of reliability as used questionnaires which can be replicated and also two researchers visited each classroom
  • this adds to the inter rater reliability
  • however
  • correlations do not prove causation as something else could have been effecting the MZ twins, such as one twin behaviour being stereotyped onto the other may influence the peer ratings
• Evaluate one adoption study from biological psychology:

  AO1

  • Leve 2010 aimed to look at family relationships and features in relationships that affect genetic influences from infancy
  • used an adoptive triad ( adoptive and birth parents and the child)
  • 360 linked sets of adoptive triads to assess the participants in the schools entry periods measuring function, literacy skills and cortisol reactivity
  • used a questionnaire and interview for both sets of parents and children and collected saliva containing cortisol
  • found that as early as two and a half children can show precursors to aggression and adoptive mothers more than fathers had influence in childs regulation of emotions- role of nurture
• Evaluate one adoption study from biological psychology

  AO3

  • used a large sample of 360 which is representative of its nature
  • however
  • this is a natural experiment so it is hard to show cause and effect as not all variables are controlled
• Assess evolution as an explanation of behaviour

  AO1

  • States that natural selection is chosen by the environment
  • the 'fittest' are those who have the characteristics that best match the demands of the environment and those useful genes are retained resulting in adaptation
  • sexual selection is the influence of evolution acting on success of reproduction, traits that seem disadvantageous are attractive to potential mates
  • being able to protect you and your possessions enhance survival and mate retention strategies are aggression to prevent mates from straying whilst protecting offspring
  • aggression is seen as a survival trait
• Assess evolution as an explanation of behaviour

  AO3

  • Explains why males are more aggressive than females due to corporative traits of females increases being naturally selected where as males who are aggressive are more likely yo be selected to make better hunters
  • this can be applied to gender differences in aggression today
  • HOWEVER
  • Does not explain cultural differences in aggressive behaviour such as the Kung sun people of Kalanhari aggression is discouraged from childhood so is rare but in Brazil individuals have been described as 'fierce' and aggression is accepted and used to gain status in society
• Assess the role of brain structure and function in aggressive behaviour

  AO1

  • The pre- frontal cortex is involved in aggression, specifically the orbital frontal cortex that plays a role in higher cognitive functions such as rational thinking and decision making, also in self control
  • The limbic system controls our basic urges and desires and the amygdala is important in aggression. It takes info from thalamus and interprets as a threat or not producing a fear response, if malfunctions wrong events will trigger this
  • Neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine have a profound influence on aggressive behaviours.
  • serotonin has inhibitory effects on brain and slows down neuronal activity and is associated with self control and impulsivity , if there are decreased levels these can behaviours can be heightened
  • Dopamine is involved with rewards and motivated behaviours, interacts with serotonin leading to more dopamine
• Assess the role of brain structure and function in aggressive behaviour

  AO3

  • Pardini 2014 found in men who has behaved violently and aggressively there was a strong negative correlation between levels of aggression and amygdala volumes
  • However
  • Research to support brain structure and function is correlational, there may be a third variable involved which is not measured - no cause and effect
• Evaluate the use of brain scans in research:

  AO1

  • brain scans are used to study biological and psychological aspects of functioning such as thinking and processing of information or events. By using them we can identify areas of the brain that work in relation to a process
  • Ct scans use x rays to develop a structured image of as cross section of the brain
  • Pet scans measure metabolic activity in the brain, a person is injected with a small amount of radioactive substance and it identifies which areas of brain use it
  • Fmri scans uses radio waves to measure blood oxygen levels in the brain
• Evaluate the use of brain scans in research:

  AO3

  • brain scans such as use of pet scans, indicate the specific areas active in a brain involved with an experienced providing the localisation of function which can be used for greater understanding of brain structure and functioning
  • However
  • there are some ethical issues regarding the use of brain scans such as being exposed to radiation with use of CT scans which is not sustainable long term, when studying one individual