Neural and Hormonal

• The Limbic System


  -Hypothalamus, cingulate gyrus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala
• Hypothalamus functions 


  regulates autonomic nervous system, which regulates responses to emotional circumstances
• Cingulate gyrus function


  Focuses attention on emotionally significant events
• Amygdala


  Attaches emotional significance to sensory information
• Prefrontal cortex functions 


  the area is crucial in regulating social behaviours and aggressive responses . Any damage to the prefrontal cortex will reduce the inhibition of amygdala, resulting in higher levels of aggression.
• Two types of aggression


  Proactive- aggression that is carried out in the anticipation of a reward.

  Reactive- aggression that is in response to a perceived threat
• What does the limbic system explain

  Reactive aggression- it plays a key role in how an organism responds to environmental threats so is seen to be the key factor in whether or not we respond aggressively to an external stimulus.
• Prefrontal Cortex role


  Involved in forward planning an anticipation of reward.
• Hypothalamus role


  responsible for the regulation of the autonomic nervous system
• Amygdala role


  Responsible for attaching emotional significance to sensory info
• What happens if the amygdala is damaged


  May result in inappropriate emotional or aggressive responses to sensory info
• Pre frontal cortex role


  Where feelings are monitored and interpreted which triggers a physical response. Crucial for regulating social behaviour and aggressive responses
• What happens if the prefrontal cortex is damaged 


  Reduction of inhibition of the amygdala resulting in higher levels of aggression
• Neurotransmitters

  • widespread inhibitory effects on the brain
  • Works on the frontal areas of the brain to inhibit the firing of the amygdala
  • serotonin has a calming influence
  • Also regulates the prefrontal cortex
  • Can't anticipate risk and therefore impulsively engage in aggressive behaviour
• Androgen


  A male hormone with a role in regulating social behaviour via its influence on certain areas of the brain and other neurotransmitters implicated in aggression
• Serotonin 


  high testosterone can result in low levels of serotonin activity
• Testosterone 


  Effects seem to mediate the effect of other chemical/enzymes that are linked to aggression