Separation of Lanthanides/ Lanthanides and Actinides
Agression in humans and non humans
1. According to Lorenz, aggression
in non-humans is basically
constructive, but in humans it
becomes distorted.
2. KonradLorenz looked at instinctual
aggressiveness as a product of evolution.
In essence, Lorenz combined Freud's theory of
aggression with Charles Darwin's natural
selection theory.
PsychoanlyticTheory +
EvolutionaryTheory?
3. In this interpretation, aggressiveness is
beneficial and allows for the survival and
success of populations of aggressive species
since the strongest animals would eliminate
weaker ones and over the course of
evolution, the result would be an ultimate
stronger, healthier population.
4. “Ritualisation refers to a way of discharging
aggression in a fixed, stereotyped pattern.”
Fights between members of the same
species result in relatively little
physical harm to either victor or
vanquished, but at the same time
allow a victor to emerge.
E.g. Wolves will end their fight with
the loser exposing its jugular vein –
but this is sufficient and no blood is
spilled.
5. Another example…
The fighting that takes
place between stags is
highly ritualized, and
the triumphant one is
the male who ‘makes
his point’ rather than
the one who kills or
incapacitates his
opponent
6. • However naturally aggressive we are as a
species compared with other species, our
superior brains have enabled us to construct
weapons which remove combat from the eye-
to-eye, face-to-face situation.
• This inevitably reduces the overall role – and
effectiveness – of appeasement rituals.
7. • Indeed, the deadliest weapons (as measured
by the number of victims who can be killed or
injured at one time) are the very ones which
can be used at the greatest distance from the
intended victims (such as bombs and
intercontinental nuclear missiles). According
to Lea (1984): we have developed a
technology which enables our intentions to
override our instincts.
8. o Railroad worker-spike went through
his head:
o Gage was able to walk away from the
accident, "talking with composure
and equanimity of the hole in his
head."
o Previously a polite and sociable
gentleman, Gage became an
antisocial, foul-
mouthed, irresponsible, bad-
mannered lout and unrepentant liar.
o According to his friends, he was "no
longer Gage."
o He drifted from job to job, finally
dying penniless.
9. Supportingevidence
“Common to some of the other biological
theories is the proposition that aggression is
the manifestation of a genetic or chemical
influence. Empirical evidence shows that
cerebral electrical stimulation of certain
locations can induce or inhibit aggression.”
10. • Presence or absence of particular chemicals
and hormones affects aggression
• E.g. high levels of the hormone testosterone
and neurotransmitters such as
serotonin, dopamine and noradrenalin
produce higher levels of aggression in animals.
• Serotonin has been used pharmacologically as
an effective treatment in combating erratic
aggression. --> is this really effective?
11. • The serotoninreuptakeinhibitors (SSRIs) are
prescribedfor the treatment of major
depressive disorder, social
anxietydisorder, obsessive compulsive
disorder
(OCD), Eatingdisorders, generalizedanxietydiso
rder, and posttraumatic stress disorder etc.
• They are generallysupposedto reduce anxiety
14. • Recently, therehasbeenmuch interest in the possible
relation betweenaggression and the useofSSRIs in
humans
• Thisis due torecent murder cases in the
Netherlands, where a connection wasmadewith SSRI
usage.
• The DutchSmPCsof the SSRIsdescribeagitation and
manicreactionaspossibleadversedrugreactions, butaggr
ession and murder ideation are notdescribed.
http://www.lareb.nl/LarebCorporateWebsite/
media/publicaties/kwb_2009_3_ssris.pdf
16. • SSRIsincreaseserotonergicactivity in the centralnervous
system byinhibitionofneuronal
• reuptakeofserotonin (5-hydroxy-tryptamine, 5-HT).
• Serotoninissupposedtohave a role in the
inhibitionofimpulses, the regulationofemotions and
• social functioning, which are
domainslinkedtoaggression
