Psychology essay plan tailored to suit the AQA A-level Specification A syllabus.
The essay plans are colour coded to make revision slightly more interesting.
The essay plans are broken down into A01 and A02 criteria.
The A02 criteria has been broken down into research, approach, issue/debate.
R...
“Outline and evaluate neural + hormonal mechanisms
human in aggression”
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
A01 –
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that enable impulses within the brain to
be transmitted from one area of the brain to another.
There is some evidence that at least two of these neurotransmitters,
serotonin and dopamine, are linked to aggressive behaviour.
SEROTONIN
Serotonin is thought to reduce aggression by inhibiting responses to
emotional stimuli that might otherwise lead to an aggressive response.
Low levels of serotonin in the brain have been associated with an
increased susceptibility to impulsive behaviour and aggression.
Some drugs are thought to alter serotonin levels and thus increase
aggressive behaviour.
DOPAMINE
There is some evidence to suggest there is a link between high levels of
dopamine and aggressive behaviour.
A02 –
RESEARCH 1 – Rayleigh (1991)
POINT – supports the role of serotonin in terms of aggression.
EVIDENCE – found that monkeys fed on serotonin increasing diets showed
decreased levels of aggression.
EXPLAIN – serotonin is thought to reduce aggression by inhibiting responses to
emotional stimuli that may lead to an aggressive response. Therefore, high levels
of serotonin will mean that there is more serotonin available to reduce
aggression. This would explain why Rayleigh found reduced aggression when
serotonin levels were increased.
EVALUATE – weakness – conducted on animals (monkeys) – this may make it
difficult to generalise the findings to humans – so reduces generalisability of
results – weakens research support.
APPROACH – biological
STATE – takes the biological approach to psychology.
EXPLAIN – this approach explains behaviour by relating it to the functioning of
the brain and argues that biological factors, such as neurotransmitters, affect the
brain.
RELATE – the neurotransmitter explanation of aggression takes the biological
approach because it looks at the effect of neurotransmitters, which are a
biological factor, on aggression.
EVALUATE – weakness – underplays the role of social influences such as
socialisation and cultural factors.
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