Outline and evaluate hormonal mechanisms in human aggression

Outline and evaluate hormonal mechanisms in human aggression

1. Cortisol AO1

   • Dabbs
     • Cortisol decreases aggression because it increases anxiety and the likelihood of social withdrawal
   • Virkkunen
     • Cortisol inhibits testosterone. Low levels of cortisol in habitual offenders
       • This was also found in violent school children (Tennes & Kreye)

2. Cortisol AO2

   • McBurnett et al
     • 4 year old boys with behavioural problems were found to have low cortisol levels
     • Boys with consistently low cortisol levels had 3x the level of aggressive behaviour compared to boys with high or fluctuating cortisol levels
   • Suggests that while testosterone may be the main influence in aggressive behaviour, low cortisol levels increase the likelihood of aggressive behaviour
   • It's been claimed that boys with low cortisol levels might be less afraid of punishment, so may not experience anxiety at the threat of punishment and so don't avoid aggressive situations in the same way that others might

3. Testosterone AO1

   • Dabbs et al
     • Measured salivary testosterone in violent & nonviolent criminals. Those with highest levels had a history of violent crimes, while those with lowest levels had committed non-violent crimes
   • Lindman
     • Young males who behaved aggressively when drunk had higher testosterone levels than those who did not act aggressively

4. Testosterone AO2

   • Albert et al
     • Claimed many studies found no relationship between testosterone and aggression
   • Mazur
     • There’s a difference between dominance and aggression. Suggests testosterone increases dominance, so animals show this just through aggression, but it can take many forms in humans
   • Book et al
     • Meta analysis of 45 studies, found 0.14 positive correlation
   • Gender bias IDA Archer et al
     • Effect of testosterone on women is worse for behaviour
       • Successful career women were also found to have higher testosterone levels
   • Klinesmith
     • Male college students played with a gun, salivary testosterone was significantly higher afterwards compared to control group