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6 Cards in this Set
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INFLUENCE OF TESTOSTERONE ON AGGRESSION
T is a male hormone, females have very low levels and it can be associated with agg. When T levels peak around the start of puberty, there is a corresponding peak in agg levels among boys. Men with more T don't necessarily become more agg.
It is influential during two life periods:
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INFLUENCE OF TESTOSTERONE ON AGGRESSION Human & non-human animal aggression
Research has been carried out using NHA
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INFLUENCE OF TESTOSTERONE ON AGGRESSION The effects of T are shown by:
Dabbs et al 1987: Measures salivary T in violent & non violent criminals. Highest levels of T found in those of violent crime. Lowest levels of T in those who committed non violent crime.
Lindman et al 1987: Similar test on non prison population, found that young M who beh agg when drunk had higher levels of T than those who did not act agg. |
INFLUENCE OF TESTOSTERONE ON AGGRESSION
Testosterone's link to serotonin Low levels of S = associated with agg. T might not be the only cause of agg & might not have a direct link.
Other causes of low T include: As a man ages, the amount of T in his body gradually declines. This starts after age 30 and continues throughout life. Other causes of low T levels include:
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INFLUENCE OF TESTOSTERONE ON AGGRESSION Evaluation
Wingfield 1990: > Suggested that in monogamous species, T levels should only rise above the baseline breeding level in response to social challenges such as M-M agg or threats to status. > We would expect a similar effect in humans as they are considered monogamous. M could be more agg than F as they are challenging reproductive competition. |
INFLUENCE OF TESTOSTERONE ON AGGRESSION Evaluation
Delville et al 1997: > Found that drugs inc S production lead to reduced levels of agg, suggesting that low levels of S are linked to inc agg. Linnoila & Virkunen 1992: > Found a relationship between low levels of S and highly explosive violent beh.
> They both shows that agg beh is not just due to inc levels of T, there are other factors such as S that can influence agg beh. |
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INFLUENCE OF TESTOSTERONE ON AGGRESSION Evaluation
Connor & Levine 1969: > Found that rats castrated after birth had reduced agg when tested as adults. However, rats castrated after puberty could be made agg with injections of T, while the early castrated rats could not, suggesting a developmental factor.
This supports the theory of T causing agg beh. However, there are many ethical issues with this study & so it is not valid as it can not be applied to humans. |
INFLUENCE OF TESTOSTERONE ON AGGRESSION Evaluation
Brook et al 2001: > 45 studies & established a mean corr of 0.14 between T & agg. > This is a low correlation, it could be that inc agg causes inc T, as opposed to inc T causing inc agg. We don't know cause & effect. |
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INFLUENCE OF TESTOSTERONE ON AGGRESSION Evaluation
Higley et al 1996: >Reported that individuals with raised levels of T exhibit signs of agg, but rarely commit agg acts, suggesting that social and cog factors play a mediating a role. > Suggesting other factors play a part, not just T levels - Link to reductionist |
INFLUENCE OF TESTOSTERONE ON AGGRESSION Evaluation
Albert 1993: Claims that despite the studies showing a + corr between T & agg, other studies find no relationship. He points out that many studies use samples of M in prisons & use self report measures = social desirability = invalid results. |
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INFLUENCE OF TESTOSTERONE ON AGGRESSION Evaluation - IDA
Gender Bias > Most R is done on males. > Baucom 1985: found that F with inc T levels had inc occupational status. > Findings indicate F may also respond to challenging situations with inc T. They may also display characteristics such as dominance & agg. > Essentially saying that W are the same as M > Naturally display the characteristics of agg beh & so, do well in business. |
INFLUENCE OF TESTOSTERONE ON AGGRESSION Evaluation - IDA
Real World Application > If we know about the link we can help to treat their beh > There would be ethical issues associated with giving people drugs simply to alleviate agg, or M castration, even if it may be in the interests of multiple parties.
Reductionalist > Bio links are well established in NHA but humans are far more complex. > We cant reduce complex human beh to one explanation. > Also need to consider genetic factors, brain structure & enviro factors. |
