ethological approach

Question 1

ethology AO1

Answer 1

Ethology is an evolutionary approach based on the study of animals in their natural environment.
It assumes: Humans are the same as animals but just more complex
That humans and animals have similar drives

Question 2

Lorenz Hydraulic Model AO1

Answer 2

suggests over time, animals build action specific energy. When a sign stimulus is presented (an environmental cue) this triggers an innate releasing mechanism (IRM) which then orders the brain to perform a sequence of behaviours (Fixed Action Patterns – FAP). IRM’s are innate neurological networks hardwired in the species.
FAP’s are:
o Ballistic → once it starts it wont stop
o Universal → all animals of that species will do
o Stereotyped → same thing over and over again
o Specific to that stimulus → particular response per situation

Question 3

RITUALISTIC AGGRESSION AO1

Answer 3

Within a species, high level or constant aggression may be maladaptive.
∴ animals evolved ways to perform ritualistic aggression - allowing them to assess the relative strength of their opponent before deciding to escalate the aggression.
e.g Gorillas use displays such as chest beating in order to demonstrate their dominance and scare off other males.
Animals have ∴ evolved instinctive inhibition, which is triggered when another member of their species demonstrates acts of submissiveness
e.g. a dog lying on its back

Adaptive → more likely to have offspring that will survive
Maladaptive → prevent having offspring that will survive

Question 4

Research related to LORENZ

Answer 4

TINBERGEN
Sample: male stickleback fish
IV: presented stimulus which varied by shape and by red underbelly
DV: FAP of fish
Method: Took a sample of fish during mating season (which is when males develop a red underbelly). Placed a fake fish into the territory of the male fish and recorded their responses.
Results:
o If the stimulus had red underbelly the stickleback would respond aggressively regardless of the shape.
o The stickleback was consistent every time the stimulus was presented (STEREOTYPED)
o Once triggered, the FAP ran its course. (BALISTIC)
TS hydraulic model
There is a clear cue stimulus. TS it’s the idea its ballistic bc once started wont stop
→ Innate releasing mechanisms

Question 5

Research related to ritualistic aggression

Answer 5

GARDNER
Studied the Dani of New Guinea and found highly ritualised patterns of intergroup hostility.
This is a clear demonstration of ritualistic aggression in humans.
e.g HAKKA: NZ rugby to intimidate opponent

GOODALL
Studied chimpanzees + recorded a 4 year war. During this there were many examples of aggression against other chimps including an incident where a group held down a chimp for 20 minutes and beat and bit it even though that chimp was demonstrating submission.
TDNS instinctive inhibition bc even when chimp showed submissions they continued to act aggressively
Observer bias
Personal relationships with chimp → good: in depth qual data. BUT SUBJECTIVE → observations (WHAT YOU THINK IS RELVATANT OR IS HAPPENING IS RECORDED EMPIRACLE → directly observed
BIODETERMINISM → shows innate aggressive tendencies
This may link to war crimes → show submission but continue violence (Vietnam)
Maybe instinctive inhibition does not occur when dealing with an out group member

Question 6

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Answer 6

MEAD
Anthropological study of New Guinea tribes:

ARAPESH: both men + women peaceful + gentle

MUNDUGUMAR: both men + women fierce + cannibalistic

TS there are cultural reasons for aggression.
HOWEVER further research shows when at war men become more aggressive, suggesting war is a sign stimulus that triggers aggression.

Question 7

NATURE NURTURE

Answer 7

Ethological findings suggest nature bc innate levels of aggression, this struggles to explain the cultural differences shown by mead
ERP
Rats who were rewarded for aggressive behaviour showed reduced levels of serotonin in the prefrontal cortex over time and became more generally aggressive.
TS cant be just innate releasing mechanisms alone.
More complicated esp in mammals as brain changes so IRM is too simplistic.
Rats may also have IRM but interacts with environment by having aggressive stimulus