The Biological Basis of Aggression: Serotonin and Testosterone'

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The Biological Basis of AggressionSerotonin and
Testosterone.

• By Robert Fulk and Brian Jackey

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Hormones

• There are two hormones that influence aggression
  Serotonin and Testosterone.

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Serotonin

• The amount of serotonin is directly proportional
  to the amount of control an organism has over its
  violent tendencies.
• In monkeys, for example, the dominant male in the
  group will have a higher seratonin count than the
  average monkey.

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• Monkeys with low serotonin will have violent,
  moody outbursts the leader will only fight when
  necessary.
• Serotonin is directly related to an organisms
  happiness level the lower the serotonin level,
  the less happy.
• Here is a picture of an angry monkey, with
  perhaps a low level of serotonin

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• Serotonin basically regulates the control an
  organism has over its own aggressive tendencies.
  The actual stimulant for aggression, however,
  comes from another substance Testosterone.

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Testosterone

• Testosterone influences aggression. The more
  testosterone an organism has, the more aggressive
  it will be.
• Studies have shown that in monkeys, the more
  testosterone given to them, the more likely their
  behavior will be erratic and violent.

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• It has also been found that the higher levels of
  testosterone in an organism have more adverse
  effects than just violent behavior. Eventually,
  these high levels of testosterone can break down
  the bodys defenses, neural receptors, create
  impotence, and cause mood swings.

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• Obviously, no organism wants high or low levels
  of either hormone. A balance is more favorable
  to the organisms well- being.

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Why Humans like Aggression

• Why do we like aggression? For men, this is an
  easy answer. We have a good deal more
  testosterone than women. Because of these higher
  levels of testosterone, we like more violent,
  competitive aspects of life.

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• Men like that last slide, why? Because the man
  on that slide just got injured in a wrestling
  match, and exhibited much expenditure of
  testosterone and aggression. Being a base
  biological need, we enjoy watching and
  participating in these events.

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Aggression in People

• All this information is great when observed in
  animals, but what does it have to do with us?
• Men begin developing testosterone in larger
  amounts at the onset of puberty. Women follow
  shortly thereafter, but never have anywhere close
  to the amount which is found in men.

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• This is the most definite cause of adolescent
  males and their violent natures. The problem in
  todays society, however, is that this violence
  is repressed.
• The boy are taught that their violent tendencies,
  though biological in nature, are wrong and should
  be ignored. This repression can leave a child
  bewildered and confused.

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• Just as in apes aggression is exhibited to defend
  territory, defend their mates, challenge other
  males, and show dominance, it is a human
  component of success and growth that must be
  encouraged and directed, not repressed.

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In Conclusion

• Serotonin, in low levels makes an organism lose
  control over their emotions.
• Testosterone, in high levels, makes an organism
  more violent.
• We should not repress aggression, but nurture it
  as a part of life, and harness it for its good
  energies.

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• Thank you.