Biological explanations of

aggressionHormonal mechanism

The role of testosterone on aggression

•What do you know about hormonal mechanisms in relation to aggression?

• Unclear picture however it does seem to play a role

Explanations

•High testosterone

•High testosterone/low serotonin

•Mismatch effect

Kreuz and Rose (1972)

Studied testosterone levels in a group of 21 young adult male prisoners and found a correlation between scores on psychological tests and testosterone.

Their testosterone levels did not relate to whether they fought with others whilst in prison, but it did relate to the nature of the crimes they had committed.

The 10 prisoners with histories of more violent crime such as assault and armed robbery did have statistically higher levels of testosterone than the 11 prisoners who had committed non-violent crimes.

What does this study suggest about hormonal mechanisms?

Any concerns?

BPS Article

•Read the article and answer the questions at the bottom of the sheet

Josephs et al (2006)Conducted an experiment using the saliva samples of participants and found that men and women high in testosterone levels reacted negatively after a loss of high status becoming stressed, confused, and anxious which is a state of mind that could lead to aggression.

However, men and women with low levels of testosterone who were put into a position of high status showed the same pattern of upset which could also lead to aggression.

How does this support the role of hormones in aggression?

Determinism (vs free will)

• Determinism sees human behaviour of a product of forces beyond the control of the individual.

• States that people have no control over their actions.

• Determinists would argue that internal and external forces control a persons behaviour. Two types of determinism are environmental determinism and biological determinism.

• This means behaviour should be predictable.

• Every behaviour has a cause.

• Determinism is a scientific account of behaviour.

Strengths and weaknesses of taking a deterministic view

S = Emphasis on cause and effect= make the world more understandable and predictable= could be worthwhile in trying to change certain things in society.

S = Purpose and goal of science= make its more acceptable to society = scientific basis and objectivity.

W = Does not allow for freewill, freewill is an illusion - we think we have choice.

W = Can never fully explain behaviour because behaviour may be too complex.

Determinism

•How does determinism link to hormonal mechanisms? (Extension task: Can you link it to neural mechanisms as well)

•Why is this a problem?

Case study

A pharmaceutical company has introduced a new drug which suppresses testosterone and claims to lower the level of aggression in individuals. They are offering this treatment to the NHS and prison services for service users displaying aggressive

behaviour.

What moral and ethical issues does this raise?

Question- essay plan

• June 2011

•Discuss the role of neural and/or hormonal mechanisms in aggression.

(8 marks+ 16 marks)