Biological Explanation for Aggression

Biological Explanation for Aggression

1. HORMONES

   • A hormone is a chemical that is produced by the human body that sends signals to organs around the body via the bloodstream.
   • According to the biological explanation, one cause of aggression is hormones. It is generally accepted that men are more aggressive than women. Men have more testosterone than women.

2. CHROMOSOMES

   • Hormone abnormalities like XYY which has certain effects such as making men more aggressive than normal. Supported as a higher than normal proportion of violent men have an extra Y chromosome.

3. BRAIN

   • It is thought that aggression is associated by interactions and abnormalities in the brain.
   • Aggression, like other instinctive behaviour seems to be associated with the limbic system. This is the part of the brain that influences things like emotions.
   • The part of the brain that controls these behaviours and stops us from being aggressive is the prefrontal cortex. This is highly involved in learning. It knows when instinctive behaviour is appropriate or not.