the evolutionary explanation of aggression AO1 Flashcards
what is the evolutionary explanation?
an account of the changes in species over millions of years based on the idea of natural selection - any behaviour that enhances survival and ultimately successful reproduction is perpetuated
what is natural selection?
a process in which some living things survive better in their environment and are able to reproduce and pass on their genes
what is sexual jealousy?
a major motivator of aggressive behaviour in males which can be given an evolutionary explanation.
why is sexual jealousy a major motivator of aggressive behaviour in males according to the evolutionary explanation?
jealousy occurs because men (unlike women) can never be totally sure about whether or not they are their child’s parent. this paternity uncertainty is a result of the very real threat for the male of cuckoldry (having to raise offspring that is not his own). any investment in offspring who do not share the male’s genes is a waste of his resources. it contributes to survival of a rival’s genes and leaves the ‘father’ with fewer resources to invest in his own future offspring.
how have psychological mechanisms evolved to increase anti-cuckoldry behaviour?
men in our evolutionary past who could avoid cuckoldry were more reproductively successful. so psychological mechanisms have evolved to increase anti-cuckoldry behaviours in males. for instance, sexual jealousy is more strongly experienced in males than in females. this drives the often aggressive strategies men employ to retain their partners and prevent them from ‘straying’. these strategies were adaptive in our evolutionary history.
what did wilson and daly (1996) identify?
wilson and daly (1996) identify several mate retention strategies which involve aggression and even physical violence including:
- direct guarding - male vigilance over a partner’s behaviour, for example, checking who they’ve been seeing, coming home early, keeping tabs on their whereabouts, installing tracking apps on their mobiles etc
- negative inducements - such as issuing threats of dire consequences for infidelity (‘I’ll kill myself if you leave me’)
what was wilson et al’s procedure?
- wilson et al (1995) asked women to report mate retention strategies in their partners.
- this was measured in terms of the extent to which they agreed with statements like, ‘he insists on knowing who you are with and where you are at all times’.
what were wilson et al’s findings?
- women who did agree with such statements were twice as likely to have experienced physical violence at the hands of their partners.
- of these women, 73% required medical attention and 53% said they feared for their lives.
- this supports the view that mate retention strategies are linked to physical violence
why does bullying occur?
bullying occurs because of a power imbalance - a more powerful individual uses aggression deliberately and repeatedly against a weaker person.
what have researchers traditionally viewed bullying as? what did evolutionary ancestors use bullying as?
- researchers have traditionally viewed bullying as a maladaptive behaviour, for example the result of poor social skills or childhood abuse.
- however, our evolutionary ancestors may have used bullying as an adaptive strategy to increase their chances of survival by promoting their own health and creating opportunities for reproduction
what did volk et al argue?
- volk et al argue that the characteristics associated with bullying behaviour are attractive to females - dominance, acquisition of resources and strength
- bullying also has the benefit of warding off potential rivals. therefore such bullying behaviour would be naturally selected because these males would have greater reproductive success.
- bullying may even benefit the bully’s health.
what did sapolsky 2004 find?
- adolescent boys who gain a reputation for being tough are less likely to experience aggression themselves as other boys avoid contact with them.
- this benefits their health as those at the top of a dominance hierarchy experience less stress
in females, when does bullying more often take place?
in females, bullying more often takes place within a relationship and is a method of controlling a partner.
according to campbell (1999) why do women use bullying behaviour?
- women use bullying behaviour to secure their partner’s fidelity, which means they continue to provide resources for future offspring.
- again such behaviour would be naturally selected because of enhanced reproductive success
