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Aggression in Women: Behavior, Brain and Hormones
Thomas F Denson1, Siobhan M O'Dean1, Khandis R Blake2
1School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
|May 18, 2018
Summary
Women exhibit less aggression than men in labs, but provocation equalizes this. Hormonal factors like testosterone and oxytocin influence female aggression, while fear inhibits direct aggression.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Criminology
Background:
- Aggression in women is less studied than in men.
- Women's aggression often manifests indirectly, differing from male patterns.
- Existing research has limitations in sample size and methodology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on aggression in women.
- To emphasize laboratory experimentation and hormonal/brain mechanisms.
- To identify gaps and suggest future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on experimental and correlational studies.
- Analysis of hormonal influences (testosterone, cortisol, oxytocin, estradiol, progesterone).
- Examination of psychological factors (fear, provocation, alcohol).
Main Results:
- Women show less aggression than men in lab settings, but provocation reduces this gap.
- Fear significantly inhibits direct aggression in women.
- Hormonal influences are complex: testosterone and oxytocin may increase aggression, while estradiol and progesterone may decrease it.
Conclusions:
- More gender-specific, theory-driven research with larger samples is needed.
- Understanding the neural mechanisms of aggression in women requires further investigation.
- Aggression in women is influenced by a complex interplay of psychological and hormonal factors.
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