Aggression

Aggression

1. Biological Explanation of aggression

   • HORMONES
     • 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.
     • This is supported by the fact that violent criminals are found to be more aggressive than non criminals.
   • 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.
   • BRAIN
     • It is thought that aggression could be caused by abnormalities within the brain
     • The part of the brain that controls these behaviours and stops us from being aggressive is the prefrontal cortex. It knows when instinctive behaviour is appropriate or not, therefore brain abnormalities such as a reduction in the prefrontal cortex could increase aggressive behaviours.
     • Aggression is associated with the limbic system, which influences emotion and other instinctive behaviours.
   • EVALUATION OF BiOLOGICAL EXPLANATION

2. This is the behaviour that intends to inflict some form of harm on someone or something. This can be verbal or physical.

3. PSYCHODYNAMIC EXPLANATION OF AGGRESSION