Aggression

Aggression-behaviour aimed at harming others.

Hormones-chemicals released by our endocrine system that affect how our bodies function and how we behave.

Chromosomes- the parts of each cell that carry the genetic information from our parents.

Biological explanation:

Limbic-the part of the brain that causes aggressive behaviour.

Prefrontal cortex-the very front of the brain. it is involved in social and moral behaviour and controls aggression.

Brain disease-damage to the brain caused by illness or trauma.

Thanatos-the part of our unconscious that causes our aggressive drive.

Ego defence mechanisms- behaviour strategies used by the individual to protect itself.

Psychodynamic explanation:

We have two defence mechanisms-

• displacement-being aggressive towards other people 
• sublimation-challenging our aggression into other acceptable activities

Case Study- Freud,Dollard et al.

Social Learning theory of aggression:

Vicarious learning-learning by observation.

Monitoring-judging whether our own behaviour is appropiate or not.

Punishment-a stimulus that weakens behavioour because it is unpleasant and we try to avoid it.

Do questions at the end.

The development of aggressive behaviour

Biological investigations in the causes of aggression (Case Studies):

• Young et al. (1959)
• Raine (1997)

Learn Evaluation on both

Psychodynamic investigations in the causes of aggression (Case Studies):

• Baker (1941)

Learn Evaluation

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