Topic C

Topic C

1. amygdala - a brain structure thought to be involved in aggression.

   • limbic system - an area in the brain involved in emotion.
     • both involved in aggression.
       • people with emotional disorders have been found to have had damage to the limbic system
         • the amygdala recognises emotion, creates emotional responses and produces aggression
           • In animal studies removing the amygdala made animals calm however having damage to this area can increase aggression.

2. hormones - chemicals produced in the body that send signals to organs around the body via the bloodstream

   • testosterone - hormone needed for making sperm, develop the male reproductive system. produce male features such as facial hair.
     • animal research shows inserting testosterone increases levels of aggression, whilst removing the testes decreases levels of aggression.

3. SLT - social learning theory

   • observational learning - the process of learning and watching others.
     • modelling - copying the behaviour of a role model.
       • identification - we believe we can be like the role model
         • vicarious reinforcement - when we see positive behaviour and copy other people because we see their rewards

4. Albert Bandura developed SLT as an explanation of behaviour.

   • children learn through other people either family, friends etc. These are role models
     • role models are chosen through who they look up to.
       • The Bobo doll shows that when children observed an adult playing aggressively with the bobo doll, they copied their behaviour.
         • he found that if the adult was rewarded they were more likely to copy
           • if the adult was punished they were less likely to copy
             • he found that boys were more to copy male adults than female adults
               • strength
                 • real life aggressive incidents link to TV and video games.
                   • weaknesses
                     • but not all children who observe aggressive behaviour copy it.
                       • his experiment was a lab experiment so it was not valid

5. Nature

   • Nurture
     • environment around us
       • We learn aggressive behaviour
         • SLT says that we are being aggressive through vicarious learning from observing other people
   • Biology
     • We are born with aggression
       • The biological theory says we are aggressive because of levels of testosterone
         • Both theories are similar because it is difficult to test because of ethical reasons
           • both theories are similar because the reverse of the theories may be true (e.g aggressive children might like watching aggressive TV) rather than aggressive TV causing aggression n children
             • conclusion - both theories have strengths. aggressive behaviour is probably caused by a combination of them both.