Brain Structures
Which brain structure processes fear and threats?
The amygdala
Low levels of this neurotransmitter increase impulsivity and aggression.
Serotonin
This hormone is linked to competitiveness and dominance.
Testosterone
Aggression is shaped by both biology and _______.
Joe’s aggression was influenced by what early life experience?
Which brain area helps with decision-making and self-control?
The pre-frontal cortex
This neurotransmitter makes aggressive actions feel rewarding.
Dopamine
Low levels of this stress hormone can increase risk-taking and aggressive behavior.
Cortisol
Learning aggression through what you see growing up is called _____.
Social learning
Joe’s obsessive behavior is connected to poor functioning in which brain area?
Prefrontal cortex
Which structure helps regulate stress, hormones, and basic drives?
Hypothalamus
This neurotransmitter increases alertness during stress and can intensify aggressive reactions.
Norepinephrine
True or False: Testosterone directly causes violence.
False
Trauma in early life can change brain chemistry and lead to more ______ behavior.
Aggression
Joe reacts intensely to threats and rejection, showing overactivity in what structure?
Amygdala
Aggression increases most when the amygdala is reactive AND this brain area isn’t regulating emotions
This inhibitory neurotransmitter helps calm the nervous system and reduce impulsive reactions.
GABA
Low cortisol has been linked to risk taking and ______ behavior in some studies
Aggressive
Name one environmental factor from my slides that influences aggression.
Family, trauma, or stress.
Joe removes “perceived threats,” showing problems with what type of control?
Impulse control
The amygdala and hypothalamus are part of which brain system?
The limbic system
Which neurotransmitter is MOST linked to impulse control problems when levels are low?
Serotonin
What's not a neurotransmitter or a brain structure but still considered important?
Hormones
What do we call the idea that genes and environment work together to shape behavior?
Nature AND nature
Joe’s behavior shows how biology interacts with what environmental factor?
Past trauma and life experiences