Brain Function as explanation of aggro as human behaviour

• Dopamine

  A neurochemical associated with pleasure, reward and reinforcement. It is involved in addictive behaviours. It is also involved in posture and the control of movement.
• Serotonin


  A neurochemical involved with mood control and feelings such as happiness. It is also involved in pain, sleep, temperature and hunger.
• Norepinephrine (noradrenaline)

  A neurochemical associated with the fight and flight response, with attention, and being ready for action.
• Prefrontal cortex

  Area of frontal lobe associated with planning behaviour, social interaction and delayed gratification.
• Limbic system

  Amygdala, hypothalamus and hippocampus. Involved in self preservation, fight or flight, integration of internal info (emotions) and external info (senses)
• Impulsivity

  A tendency to act on a whim, displaying behaviour characterised by little or no forethought, reflection, or consideration of the consequences.
• Delayed gratification

  The ability to put off something mildly fun or pleasurable now, in order to gain something that is more fun, pleasurable, or rewarding later.
• Self preservation

  The instinct to act in your own best interest to protect yourself and ensure your survival
• Fight or flight

  A state of high alert that occurs when we perceive a threat or danger and need to be ready to deal with it
• Prefrontal cortex

  • Involved with emotions and has high levels of synapses with dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine
  • Regulates behaviour and governs social interaction
  • Allows people to plan their actions and delay gratification and rewards
• Prefrontal cortex is damaged or functions poorly/abnormally

  People can become very impulsive, impatient and aggressive
• Limbic system

  • Includes the amygdala, hypothalamus and hippocampus
  • Involved in self-preservation, including response to emotions, and the fight or flight response
• Amygdala

  • Centre for emotions and motivation
  • Combines information from external senses and internal feelings and provides instinctive reaction to the environment that leads to response (including aggression)
• Amygdala is stimulated with an electrical current in animals such as monkeys

  Makes the animal aggressive
• Amygdala is removed in monkeys

  They have a huge reduction in fear and aggression and become much more friendly towards other monkeys