A03
Cards (4)
- * evidence to support from delgado?
- stimulated hypothalamus (part of limbic system) of monkeys with mild electric cuurents & found they attacked other monkeys
- shows limbic system as whole plays role in aggression
- works holistically to govern our emotions
- when stimulated leads to increase in aggression
- * charles whitman case study?
- 1/8/66 former US marine killed 16 & wounded 32 pople - fired rifles/shot gun/handguns from 28th floor observation deck of tower of uni of texas & later shot by police
- autopsy - brain tumour in region of amygdala
- bouts of intense rage before & admitted to overwhelming periods of hostility with minimum provocation
- supports role of neural mechanisms
- shows when damage present within l.s unable to regulate emotional responses - results in aggression/violent acts
- was rage alone sufficient - systematically planned violence first on fam members & random members of public
- X contradictory theory of social psychological cause?
- slt suggests instead of being down to innate biological factors aggression explained in terms of environmental exposure
- beleives its a learnt behaviour developed through observation & imitation of aggressive role models - vicariously reinforced
- ignores role of environment
- may be best to look at aggression from more holisitic pov & take into account environmental factors - learning
- interactionist apprach more appropriate
- X biologically deterministic?
- pro: cause & effect so empirical & used to develop practical applications to treat aggression
- allows us predict & prevent future behaviour eg identify whos at risk look at levels of nt & meds to prevent imbalance
- con: implies that aggression caused by brain chem/physical structure - out of our control/not in free will
- potential socially sensitive - criminals being absolved - less responsible for crimes due to brain structure/chem
- may upset/offend victims/families
- feel removal of blame minimises significance of trauma
- excuse/normalise aggression in others