Aggression Evaluation

Vocabulary flashcards on aggression based on A-Level Psychology notes.

Amygdala

Part of the brain linked to aggression; stimulating it can trigger aggression, while destroying it stops aggressive responses.

Correlational Research

Research method where manipulation of brain structures is unethical, limiting causal conclusions.

Testosterone

Hormone associated with aggression; higher levels correlate with violent offenses.

Dual Hormone Hypothesis

A hypothesis suggesting aggression occurs when testosterone is high and cortisol is low.

Cortisol

Hormone that usually inhibits aggressive behavior.

MAOA Gene

Gene linked to aggression; variations (like MAOA-L) are associated with extreme aggression, especially when combined with childhood maltreatment.

XYY Syndrome

Individuals with an extra Y chromosome; early research linked this to aggression, but later studies showed no necessary correlation.

Polygenic Explanation

Explanation that aggression is influenced by thousands of genes, making it complex.

Fixed Action Pattern (FAP)

Instinctive behavioral sequence that is relatively unchanged.

Tinbergen

An ethologist who studied sticklebacks and their aggressive responses to red-bellied rivals, demonstrating innate aggression.

Innate Aggression

The idea that aggression can be instinctive and species-wide.

Modal Action Patterns/Behavioral Tendencies

The idea that learning influences aggression

Sexual Jealousy

Evolved behavior linked to male aggression, where men use strategies and are violent towards partners.

Shackelford

Using mate retention strategies increases violence towards partners

Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis

The theory that frustration leads to aggression.

Geen's Study

Study that found frustrated participants gave stronger electric shocks

Catharsis Theory

The idea that venting frustration reduces aggression

Bushman's Study

Study that found venting frustration increased aggression rather than reducing it

Social Learning Theory (SLT)

Theory where aggression is learned through observation and imitation, especially when rewarded.

Bandura's Bobo Doll Study

Study where children imitated aggression from adults, supporting vicarious reinforcement.

Vicarious Reinforcement

Learning by observing the consequences of others' actions

De-individuation

The theory that anonymity increases aggression.

Zimbardo's Study

Zimbardo's hooded participants were more aggressive, supporting de-individuation.

Johnson & Downing Study

When nurses were less aggressive due to role norms

Situational Norms

De-individuation may not remove norms but cause stronger conformity to the group’s norms

Aggression

The limbic system is linked to:

Aggressive Behavior

Limbic abnormalities don't always lead to:

Androcentric

Samples are mostly male-dominated (blank) samples

MAOA-L

Brunner's Dutch family study shows correlation between blank and aggression

Caspi

blank et al. found aggression only increased in MAOA-L individuals who were maltreated as children

Jacobs

blank found more XYY men in prison

‘modal action patterns’ or ‘behavioural tendencies’

Ethologists now favour terms like blank

Southern U.S.

blank males were more aggressive than Northern males.

Aggressive

Suggesting men evolved to be blank towards women may reinforce harmful stereotypes.

Shackelford's survey

blank found that the more men used mate retention strategies, the more likely they were to be violent towards partners

Evolutionary

blank theory doesn’t explain acts of cruelty seen in genocide or war where aggression isn’t adaptive

Aggressive Role Models

E.g., !Kung San children show low aggression due to lack of blank

Spontaneous

SLT struggles to explain blank aggression caused by emotion (e.g., jealousy).

Biological

Suggests other theories are needed (e.g., blank or frustration-based).

Self-Control

Theory assumes we lose blank, but people can still make moral decisions even when anonymous.