PSYCH 13 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Prefrontal Cortex, Frontal Lobe, Reinforcement
Document Summary
Evolutionary psychology: aggression is an evolved behaviour that had adaptive functions. Males aggress to achieve and maintain status. Males typically more aggressive in species where reproductive availability of females is less than of males. Need to complete with rivals for status and access to females. Higher parental investment leads to less risky forms of aggression. Indirect/relational aggression may be more effective way to. Less aggression towards related others: infanticide 70-100 times more likely from step parents. The role of serotonin: the neurotransmitter serotonin appears to restrain impulsive acts of aggression. Low levels of serotonin associated with high levels of aggression. Structure of frontal lobe linked to aggression and violent behaviour. Impaired prefrontal cortex in particular can disrupt executive functioning. Aggression can be positively as well as negatively reinforced. Eg; child who throws a tantrum is rewarded with a toy or sweet. Negative reinforcement: aggression prevents or stops undesirable outcomes. Eg; child avoids being teased by being aggressive.
