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The relationship between Biochemistry & Aggression (Part 1)

© Michael Decaire

Far before psychology existed man has tried to understand and explain human behavior. One of the most interesting behaviors investigated is deviance. Views on deviant behavior, in this case aggression, have altered numerous times. In the past, aggression has been explained in terms of learning theory, genetics, conditioning, and even spiritual possession. Recent advances in physiological sciences have allowed us to look within the body for additional motivational systems. For decades people have looked at hormonal influences on violent aggression, an area of research that is still active today. Derived from observations made within psychiatric environments, neurochemistry has now been suggested as a possible causal factor for aggression. The purpose of this paper is to review the major biochemical and neurochemical studies of aggression, in an attempt to discover if there is a relationship between these chemical systems and violent aggressive behavior in humans. Biochemistry Testosterone

Archer (1991) states that there is sufficient evidence to at least support a parallel relationship between testosterone and aggression. Evidence can be provided from studies of prison inmates (Kreuz & Rose, 1972; Ehrenkranz, Bliss, & Sheard, 1974; Rada, Laws, & Kellner, 1976; Rada, Laws, Kellner, Stivastava, & Peake, 1983; Dabbs, Frady, Carr, & Besch, 1987; Wille & Beier, 1989), non-deviant populations (Gray, Jackson, & McKinlay, 1991; Harris, Rushton, Hampson, & Jackson, 1995; Lindman, Jarvinen, & Vidjeskog, 1987; Christiansen & Winkler, 1992), and female offenders (Ehlers, Rickler, & Hovey, 1980; Dabbs, Ruback, Frady, Hopper, & Sgoutas, 1988). The first testosterone - aggression studies involved prison populations, and were somewhat non-specific. Kreuz and Rose (1972) found significantly higher testosterone levels with criminals who had a history of violent behavior compared to those with non-violent histories. A replication of the study found an even more significant testosterone - aggression effect (Ehrenkranz, Bliss, & Sheard, 1974). Rada, Laws, and Kellner (1976) investigated the relationship between testosterone and sex crimes. Testosterone levels were evaluated for violent rapists, non-violent rapists, child molesters, and non-criminal volunteers. As previous investigations would predict, only the violent rapist subgroup showed significantly elevated testosterone levels when compared to the non-violent groups. Like the original Kreuz and Rose study, a fine tuned replication of the violent rapist study found even larger effects (Rada, Laws, Kellner, Stivastava, & Peake, 1983). One of the most significant and in depth testosterone - aggression studies is that of Dabbs, Frady, Carr, and Besch (1987). Saliva testosterone measures were again significantly higher in violent criminals as compared to their non-violent counterparts. An examination of the subjects with the highest or lowest testosterone levels provides some strikingly clear and relevant findings. The criminal histories of those with the highest testosterone levels consisted of primarily violent crimes, with ten of the eleven subjects with the highest testosterone levels being convicted of violent crimes. Whereas, nine of the eleven subjects with the lowest testosterone levels committed only non-violent crimes.

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