Aggression - AQA Level Paper-Free Revision

Introduction

• Quick coverage of the main content in the aggression unit
• Further detailed videos available for in-depth understanding
• Resources available on psycboost.com

Neural and Hormonal Mechanisms

• Biological explanations suggest aggression is influenced by:
  • Testosterone: Higher levels in males linked to aggression
  • Neurotransmitters: Serotonin deficiency linked to lack of self-control
  • Brain Structures:
    • Limbic System: Includes amygdala and hypothalamus, emotional centers
    • Orbital Frontal Cortex: Regulates aggression, affected by serotonin and testosterone

Evaluations of Biological Factors

• 1963 Study: Cat hypothalamus stimulation linked to aggression
• 2007 Case: Tumor removal near amygdala reduced aggression
• 2012 Study: Low tryptophan (serotonin precursor) linked to high aggression
• 1980 Study: Male mice aggression decreased post-castration
• Biological reductionism and determinism critiques

Genetic Factors

• Aggression seen as innate, linked to genetic abnormalities
• MAOA Gene: Linked to aggression, "Warrior gene"
• XXY Gene Variant: Linked to "super males" with aggression

Evaluations of Genetic Factors

• 1997 Study: Genetic differences in twins linked to aggression
• 1978 Study: Criminality in adoptees linked to biological parents
• 1993 Study: Low MAOA activity linked to aggression in family study

Ethological and Evolutionary Explanations

• Aggression seen as advantageous for survival, mating
• Innate Releasing Mechanisms: Fixed action patterns in response to stimuli
• Evolutionary Explanations: Aggressive genes selected for resource acquisition

Evaluations of Ethological Theories

• 1966 Study: Sticklebacks' aggressive response to cues
• 1990 Study: Family violence more common among non-genetic members

Social Psychological Explanations

• Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis: Frustration leads to aggression
• Social Learning Theory: Aggression learned through observation
• Deindividuation: Loss of self-awareness in crowds leads to aggression

Evaluations of Social Psychological Theories

• Jigsaw Task Study: Frustration linked to increased aggression
• 1961 Bandura Study: Bobo doll aggression imitation
• 1969 Zimbardo Study: Deindividuation linked to increased aggression

Institutional Aggression

• Higher aggression in prisons linked to both dispositional and situational factors
• Dispositional Factors: Personal traits, past behaviors
• Situational Factors: Prison environment, management

Evaluations of Institutional Aggression

• 2011 Berry Study: Poor conditions linked to inmate violence
• 2011 DeLisi Study: Dispositional factors linked to aggression in young offenders
• Stanford Prison Experiment: Situational factors' influence on aggression

Media Influences on Aggression

• Social Learning Processes: Media can normalize aggression
• Desensitization: Repeated exposure lowers emotional reaction
• Disinhibition: Media justifies aggression, reducing restraints

Evaluations of Media Influence

• 1986 Study: TV introduction increased aggression
• 2007 Study: Desensitization observed in video game players
• 1979 Study: Justified TV aggression led to increased aggression

Conclusion

• Biological, social, and media influences form a complex picture of aggression
• Further resources available for detailed study and exam preparation