Discuss the role of genetics into aggression.

(8+16)

AO1 Twin Studies

Monozygotic (MZ) twins share all of their genetic information whilst dizygotic twins (DZ) share 50%. If MZ twins are more alike in terms of aggressive behaviour than DZ twins, then this should be due to genes rather than environment. It is much harder to study aggressive behaviour than criminal behaviour, so few studies have tried to measure aggressive behaviour directly. However, Coccaro did use twins to study aggressive behaviour and found that 50% of the aggression towards to each other could be attributed to genetic factors.

Discuss explanations into Institutional Aggression (Social psychological explanations)

(8+16)

AO1 Importation Model

One explanation of institutional aggression comes from Irwin and Cressey and the importation model. Irwin and Cressey claim that inmates who enter prison with particular characteristics e.g. values, attitudes and experiences, are more likely to engage in interpersonal violence than other inmates. According to this theory, interpersonal violence in prisons is not a product of the institution itself but rather of the characteristics of individuals who enter such institutions. Younger inmates are more likely to view violence as an appropriate response to conflicts. Research has shown that inmates who are from impoverished communities with higher rates of violence in those areas are more associated with interpersonal violence thus they are importing their cultural norms into the prison that condones violence t behaviour.

Discuss Evolutionary explanations of group displays. e.g. sport and warfare

(8+16)

AO1 Xenophobia (Sport)

One explanation of group displays in humans is from Wilson who claims that xenophobia has been documented in every group of animals displaying higher forms of social organization. Natural selection, it appears has favoured those genes that caused human beings to be altruistic toward members of their own group but intolerant towards outside members. Shaw and Wong argue that mechanisms that prompt suspicion towards strangers would have been favoured by natural selection. This would have enabled our ancestors to avoid attack and so leave behind more offspring. MacDonald suggests that fro an evolutionary perspective, it is adaptive to exaggerate negative stereotypes about outsiders, as the overperception is less costly than under perception.

Discuss Evolutionary explanations of aggression.

(8+16)

AO1 Cuckoldry& Mate retention strategies

Evolutionary psychologists argue that reproductive challenged faced by our ancestors can explain aggressive behaviour. A man can never be certain that he is the father of his wife’s child unless he prevents her from having relationships with any other men. This can explain why male sexual jealousy is often cited as a cause of domestic violence. Subsequently if a man’s partner is unfaithful and has a relationship with another man, the man runs the risk of cuckoldry and would therefore invest resources into rearing children. Male sexual jealous may therefore have evolve to prevent infidelity and reduce the risk of cuckoldry.

Discuss social psycological explanations of aggression (SLT & Deindividuation)

(8+16)

AO1 Deindividuation

The deindividuation explanation states that people normally refrain from acting in an aggressive and antisocial manner, in part because they are easily identifiable and because they belong to societies that have strong norms against such behaviour. In a situation, which has crowds, restraints on aggressive behaviour may become relaxed. According to Zimbardo being part of a large crowd can diminish awareness of individuality because individuals are faceless and anonymous.  There is less fear of a retribution and a diluted sense of guilt.

Describe and evaluate neural and hormonal mechanisms in aggression.

(8 marks + 16 marks) Plenty of AO1 and AO2 to choose from.

AO1 Serotonin

Serotonin plays an important role in social decision making by keeping aggressive social responses in check. Serotonin usually reduces aggression by inhibiting the firing of the amygdala, which might otherwise lead to impulsive or aggressive behaviour. If there are low levels of serotonin in the brain, there is less inhibition of the amygdala. As a result, when it is stimulated by external events, it becomes more active, causing the person to act on their impulses, and making aggression more likely. Therefore, low levels of serotonin have been associated with an increased susceptibility to impulsive and aggressive behaviour.