Jekaterina has recently had an accident which resulted in damage to her amygdala - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 9 - 2022 - Paper 2

The amygdala is a crucial part of the brain that processes information from our senses and determines how we respond to that information. In particular, it can trigger the flight or fight response, which is essential for survival in threatening situations. When the amygdala is activated, it often overrides the rational part of our brain, leading to impulsive and aggressive actions.

Damage to the amygdala may inhibit Jekaterina from effectively regulating her emotions, leading her to perceive situations as threatening even when they may not be. This overestimation of threat can cause her to react aggressively, explaining her frequent arguments with her parents and her willingness to fight with strangers.

Furthermore, when Jekaterina engages in fights, she might be entering a heightened state of emotional arousal, potentially due to an adrenaline spike associated with the fight mode that's activated when the amygdala is involved. This could explain why she acted aggressively towards another individual while out with her new friends.

Additionally, it is important to consider that her damaged amygdala may impair her ability to foresee the consequences of her actions, such as being arrested by the police. This lack of foresight may cause her to behave recklessly, as she is unable to think rationally about the impact of her aggressive actions.

Lastly, Jekaterina’s new friends may also play a role in her aggression. The behavior of peers can significantly influence individuals, so if her new friends exhibit aggressive tendencies, she may be mirroring these behaviors, further compounding her aggression.