2. Serotonin

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this lecture, we think about the neural mechanisms involved in aggressive behaviour, focusing in particular on: (i) the role of serotonin; (ii) differentiating between instrumental and hostile aggression; (iii) why research into the role of neurochemicals tends to focus on the latter; (iv) research by New et al. (2004) which has shown that high levels of serotonin in the human body are linked to reduced aggression; (v) a study by Crockett and Passamonti (2011) which can help to explain the neural mechanisms behind this phenomenon; (vi) research by Hariri et al. (2002) which focuses on the serotonin transporter gene 5-HTT, arguing that the short allele version of this gene may constitute a genetic vulnerability to aggression.

Course

In this course, Dr Claire Lawrence (University of Nottingham) explores the psychology of aggression and aggressive behaviour. In the first lecture, we think about the genetic basis for aggression, associated with the so-called ‘warrior gene’ MAOA. In the second lecture, we think about the neural and hormonal mechanisms involved in aggressive behaviour, including serotonin. In the third lecture, we think about the role of testosterone in aggressive behaviour. Next, we think about how social learning theory can help us to understand aggression as a learned behaviour. In the fifth and final module, we think about the Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis as a social psychological model which argues that frustration, the feeling of having our goals thwarted, is a key factor in causing aggressive behaviour.

Lecturer

Claire Lawrence is an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham.

She works predominantly in the area of individual differences and her research centres around the question: Why do some people act aggressively in some situations, and other people don't? She also examines whether some antisocial traits have benefits in a sexual selection context.

Her second main area of research is the unintended and negative impacts of behavioural interventions.