Aggressive Behaviour: Nature, Nurture, or both In the text, Comparative Psychology, aggressive behaviour is defined as a potentially harmful interaction between members of a species. Researchers have been examining the relative influence of nature and nurture to investigate the origin of aggressive behaviour. Literature reviews have assessed the genetic endowment on shaping aggressive behaviour (nature) or environmental influences on shaping aggressive behaviour (nurture). The motive of this writing is to discuss the extent to which biological and psychological factors contribute to aggressive behavior in both human and animal studies. The major discussion of present research are (a) environmental factors and aggressive behaviour, (b) biological factors and aggressive behaviour, and (c) nature and nurture are two inseparable concepts.
There is an abundance of scholarly efforts that indicates the importance of social and environmental factors in determining aggressive behaviours. Social learning theorists emphasize the importance of social context in explaining aggressive behaviour. In a famous experiment, Bandura (1973) found that children who were exposed to aggressive behavior were inclined to act aggressively, and children in the non-aggressive group were less inclined to act aggressively towards an object. Indeed, …show more content…
These researchers study that relative effects of chemicals and hormones in determining aggressive behaviour. In regards to this, a series of research studies have examined the link between Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA), serotonin and norepinephrine metabolizing enzyme, and aggressive behavior. In particular, Moffitt et al. (1998) reported that aggressive male have an average serotonin level that exceeds that of nonviolent male. In this case, MAOA deficiency results in serotonin depletion, placing an individual at high risk of committing violent
There is an abundance of scholarly efforts that indicates the importance of social and environmental factors in determining aggressive behaviours. Social learning theorists emphasize the importance of social context in explaining aggressive behaviour. In a famous experiment, Bandura (1973) found that children who were exposed to aggressive behavior were inclined to act aggressively, and children in the non-aggressive group were less inclined to act aggressively towards an object. Indeed, …show more content…
These researchers study that relative effects of chemicals and hormones in determining aggressive behaviour. In regards to this, a series of research studies have examined the link between Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA), serotonin and norepinephrine metabolizing enzyme, and aggressive behavior. In particular, Moffitt et al. (1998) reported that aggressive male have an average serotonin level that exceeds that of nonviolent male. In this case, MAOA deficiency results in serotonin depletion, placing an individual at high risk of committing violent