PSYC 2012 Lecture 34: 11/29/17
Document Summary
Social animals (and people with larger social networks) have larger amygdalae, probably because they have to process more emotional salience with such larger social networks. One of the biggest concerns of every social species is whether or not another member of that species will try to hurt/harm them - need to process more social and emotional information. Damage to the vmpfc increases impulsive aggression; alcohol also inhibits activity of the vmpfc. Removal of the septum, a nucleus of the reward circuit, also increases impulsive aggression. Both the vmpfc and the septum appear to inhibit aggression and anger responses. The periaqueductal grey (pag) in the brainstem appears to activate aggressive behaviors. Aggressive postures - cat will hiss and scratch. Criminals who have committed impulsive crimes are not getting the usually suppression of violence as most people are. Testosterone secretion is regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary.
