HORMONES-Testosterone

HORMONE- chemical messengers based within the body which take time to relay their messages and work on body overtime

Work by combining to receptor proteins in target cells and changing cell functions. Cells respond in different ways to the hormones.

The environment can effect the release of hormones eg stress or light

Each hormones effector has certain target organs eg adrenal glands secrete adrenaline and noradrenaline which link to the heart.

Pituitary gland - growth hormones, cortisol (stress)

Thymus- puberty Hormones

Pineal gland - melatonin (sleep)

Testes - testosterone (sex drive)

Ovaries - oestrogen and progesterone (menstrual cycle, breasts etc)

Thyroid gland - metabolism

Adrenal gland- adrenaline for fight or flight etc

TESTOSTERONE = androgen maintaining male characteristics. Increases spatial ability and competitive aggression.

Males have greater exposure to it both pre and post natally

EVALUATE HORMONES IN TERMS OF AGGRESSION

+ adelson 2004- link with stress hormone cortisol (produced in adrenal gland) and aggression in brains of rats when electrically stimulated

-lots of supporting studies on animals such as adelson rats which isn’t generalisable

+Dabbs et al found higher T levels in prisoners who committed violent crimes compared to those in prisoners who committed non-violent crimes using saliva tests showing a ink with hormones and aggression

-Montoya 2011 more holistic as consider brain functioning structure and hormones so hormones may be too simplistic on their own

+apply to help people with clear higher levels of testosterone to reduce aggression through therapy. As we can understand how their link may be significant