Brain structure and aggression

• What are the assumptions of the biological approach?

  Behavior explained by brain structures, neurotransmitters, evolution
• How many lobes does the brain have?

  Four lobes
• What does the frontal lobe control?

  plays an important part in decision making and self-restraint
• How can you remember the parietal lobe's function?

  Parents raised you, so they are at the top
• What does the occipital lobe control?

  Vision, color identification, visual processing
• How can you remember the temporal lobe's function?

  Temperature is taken in the ear at the doctor
• What is the corpus callosum's function?

  Links the two hemispheres of the brain
• What happens if the corpus callosum is split?

  Messages can't be sent across hemispheres
• What are lesions in the context of brain research?

  Purposeful damage or stimulation of brain areas
• Which part of the brain is linked to aggressive behavior?

  The hypothalamus
• What is the role of the prefrontal cortex?

  Linked to emotions and decision-making
• What did Raine's study find about the prefrontal cortex?

  Lower function linked to less consequence thinking
• What did Bicara's study reveal about the prefrontal cortex?

  Damage leads to focus on immediate rewards
• What is the limbic system composed of?

  Hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus
• What role does the amygdala play in aggression?

  Stimulated amygdala increases aggression levels
• What happens to animals without an amygdala?

  They become passive and unresponsive
• What is the amygdala's role in emotional response?

  Integrates stimuli causing reactions to environment
• What is the fight or flight response associated with?

  The limbic system and amygdala
• How does the prefrontal cortex relate to aggression?

  Regulates emotions; damage leads to aggression
• What is the significance of Phineas Gage's case?

  Injury led to aggression, linking brain structure to personality
• What is tray panning?

  Surgical intervention to treat brain problems
• What does bilateral refer to?

  Two sides
• What does unilateral refer to?

  One side
• What is the role of the hippocampus?

  Converts short-term to long-term memories
• What does the hypothalamus regulate?

  Temperature, hunger, thirst, pain responses
• How does the hypothalamus relate to aggression?

  Links to offensive and defensive behavior
• What is the significance of the medial hypothalamus?

  Linked to offensive behavior and physical attack
• What is the role of the amygdala in fear response?

  Stimulated amygdala causes aggressive response
• What happens when the amygdala is removed?

  Animal becomes passive and unresponsive
• How does the limbic system contribute to aggression?

  Controls temperature, survival, and fight or flight
• What is the relationship between dopamine, serotonin, and aggression?

  Prefrontal cortex connects to these neurotransmitters
• What is the impact of lower prefrontal cortex activity?

  Leads to less regulation of behavior
• What is the significance of the classic study by Raine?

  Links low prefrontal cortex activity to aggression
• How does aggression manifest in lab animals with hypothalamus damage?

  Increased aggressive behavior when stimulated
• What is the role of the prefrontal cortex in planning?

  Regulates long-term planning and consequences
• What is the relationship between aggression and the limbic system?

  Limbic system controls emotional responses, including aggression
• How does the amygdala respond to stimuli?

  Integrates stimuli causing aggressive reactions
• What is the effect of stimulating the amygdala?

  Causes aggressive responses in animals
• What is the significance of the hypothalamus in aggression?

  Regulates aggressive behavior and responses to threats
• How does the prefrontal cortex affect emotional regulation?

  Damage leads to uncontrolled aggressive reactions