Nervous system, brain and aggression：練習問題

Which part of the brain is primarily associated with executive functions such as impulse control and the regulation of aggressive behavior, as highlighted in biological psychology?

According to the evolutionary explanation of aggression, why might physical aggression have been an adaptive trait for ancestral humans?

How does Freud’s psychodynamic explanation of aggression differ fundamentally from the biological explanation regarding the mechanisms for reducing aggressive behavior?

Which hormone is most commonly linked to increased levels of aggression and dominant behavior in biological explanations of human development?

What was a key finding of the contemporary study by Li et al. (2013) regarding the brain function of heroin-addicted individuals?

State one reason why a researcher might choose to use an fMRI scan instead of a PET scan when investigating brain activity in a study on aggression.

A researcher is investigating the influence of the endocrine system on behavior. Explain how the hormone testosterone is thought to influence aggression in humans.

A psychologist conducted a correlational study to investigate the relationship between brain volume in the pre-frontal cortex and scores on an empathy scale. They calculated a Spearman’s rho observed value of \(r_s = 0.485\) with a sample of \(N = 18\). For a one-tailed test where \(p \le 0.05\), the critical value is \(0.401\).

Interpret these results to determine whether the correlation is statistically significant and state the resulting decision regarding the null hypothesis.

Biological psychologists use various brain scanning techniques to study the structure and function of the brain.
(a) State the full name of the scanning technique commonly referred to as a CAT scan.
(b) Describe one difference between a CAT scan and a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scan.

Synaptic transmission is the process by which signals are passed between neurons in the nervous system.
(a) Explain the process of synaptic transmission, referring to neurotransmitters and the synaptic cleft.
(b) Explain how a recreational drug that acts as an agonist affects this process.