Some individuals intentionally seek out aggressive encounters because of the rewarding sensations caused by dopamine.
Couppis & Kennedy (2008)
In mice, a reward pathway in the brain is engaged in response to an aggressive event and dopamine is a positive reinforcer.
Ferrari et al (2003)
Procedure
- Rats used.
- Forced to fight at the same time every day for 10 days.
- Not allowed to fight on the 11th day.
- Measured dopamine and serotonin.
Findings
- In anticipation for the fight, the rats; dopamine increased and serotonin decreased.
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Low levels of serotonin are linked to 'impulsivity and explosive acts of violence'.
Cleare & Bond (1997)
'Serotonin depletion tends to ruffle people's feathers'.
Summers et al (2005)
Observed that globally acting serotonergic drugs do modify aggressive behaviour.
Davidson (2000)
Neurotransmitter research ignores the influence of brain structure.
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