AGGRESSION

• Limbic system: Subcortical structures in the brain ( including the hypothalamus and amygdala) thought to be closely involved in regulating emotional behaviour including aggression
• Serotonin: A neurotransmitter with widespread inhibitory effects throughout the brain. It has a key role in aggressive behaviour
• Testosterone: A hormone from the androgen group that is produced mainly in the male testes (and in smaller amounts in the female ovaries). Associated with aggressiveness
• Genetic factors: Genes consists of DNA strands. DNA produces 'instructions' for general physical features of an organism (such as as eye colour, height) and also specific physical features (such as neurotransmitter levels and size of brain structures). These may impact on psychological features (such as intelligence and mental disorder). Genes are transmitted from parents to offspring i.e. inherited
• MAOA gene: The gene responsible for the activity of the enzyme monoamine oxidase in the brain. The low-activity variant of the gene is closely associated with aggressive behaviour
• Ethological explanation: An explanation that seeks to understand the innate behaviour of animals (including humans) by studying them in their natural environments
• Innate releasing mechanism: A biological structure or process (e.g. in the brain) which is activated by an external stimulus that in turn triggers a fixed action pattern
• Fixed action pattern: A sequence of stereotyped preprogramed behaviours triggered by an innate releasing mechanism
• Evolutionary explanation: An account of changes in species over millions of years based on the idea of natural selection - any behaviour enhances survival and ultimately successful reproduction is perpetuated
• Social psychological explanations of aggression: Any theory that argues aggression is the result of an interaction between an individual's characteristics and features of the situations in which behaviour occurs
• Frustration-aggression hypothesis: A social psychological theory that argues anger, hostility and even violence are always the outcome when we are prevented from achieving our goals (i.e. frustration)
• Social learning theory: A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors
• De-individuation: A psychological state in which an individual loses their personal identity and takes on the identity of a social group when, for example, in a crowd or wearing a uniform. The result may be decreased concern about the evaluation of others
• Institutional aggression: Aggressive or violent behaviour that takes place within the social context of a prison or other formal organised setting
• Dispositional explanation: An explanation of behaviour that highlights the importance of the individuals personality (i.e. their disposition). Such explanations are often contrasted with situational explanations
• Situational explanation: An explanation that identifies the causes of behaviour as existing within the environment, which may include other people. Such explanations are contrasted with dispositional explanations
• Media: Communication channels, such as TV, film and books, through which news, entertainment, education and data are made available
• Computer games: A game generally played on-screen using a keyboard, mouse or other controller. Types include stimulations, first-person shooters, adventures, sports and roleplaying games, often conducted using an online service
• Desensitisation: Reduced sensitivity to a stimulus. This may be psychological (e.g. less emotional response) or physiological (e.g. lowered heart rate). This reduced response may make a behaviour such as aggression more likely
• Disinhibition: A lack of restraint (no longer being inhibited). May be due to environmental triggers or overexposure to a stimulus, resulting in socially unacceptable behaviours becoming acceptable and therefore more likely
• Cognitive priming: The way a person thinks (cognitive) is triggered by cues or 'scripts' which make us ready (primed) to respond in specific ways. For example, watching violent films provides a 'script' about how to react in certain situations so a person is more ready to respond in the same way