Ms. Vance has been referred to a cognitive neuropsychologist due to recent impulsive aggressive outbursts. The neuropsychologist conducted a series of functional brain scans over a month during simulated threat and frustration tasks. The scans measured hyper-reactivity spikes (defined as deviations from normal resting baselines) in key brain structures associated with aggression. The results are summarized in Table 3.
| Brain Structure | Average Spike Amplitude (relative units 1-100) | Number of Hyper-Reactivity Events | Total Reactivity Load |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amygdala | 80 | 5 | 400 |
| Anterior Hypothalamus | 60 | 3 | 180 |
| Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC) | 90 | 1 | 90 |
| Hippocampus | 15 | 12 | 180 |
| Total Load | 850 |
Describe how the cognitive neuropsychologist could use this data to explain Ms. Vance's aggressive behavior and advise her on how to manage it.
Practise Edexcel A Level Psychology Content with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 1,059 questions covering Diagnosis of mental disorders (4 Ds), Classification systems (DSM and ICD), Schizophrenia and one other disorder, Treatments for the two disorders, Individual differences, and Developmental psychology, matched to the Edexcel A Level Psychology (9PS0) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
