Evolution and natural selection

Question 1

How does evolution link to aggression?

Answer 1

• Adaptive behaviour
• Can help secure resources, protect offspring, and defend territory, increasing survival and reproductive success.
• Aggressive individuals might have been more successful in competing for mates and protecting their family.

Question 2

How does natural selection influence aggression?

Answer 2

Natural selection favours traits that increase reproductive success. Aggression may have evolved as a survival mechanism to help individuals compete for resources or defend against threats, passing on aggressive tendencies to offspring. However, in modern society, aggression may still emerge in situations that involve competition or perceived threats.

Question 3

Why do humans have such large brains?

Answer 3

• Brain evolved to respond to our complex social organisation
• EG: indivs better at manipulating to survive would have to form alliances, devise strategies, plans etc which needs a bigger brain

Question 4

How has the prefrontal cortex evolved over time to meet the demands of s changing society?

Answer 4

• increased by 30% in size, more advance and complex w problem-solving//planning//selfcontrol
• PFC became connected to brain areas controlling emotions helping w empathy, communication

Question 5

Agression in males

Answer 5

• Males more motivated to acquire status since high status males have access to mates and resources for survival
• High status males more likely to be elected by females since they will be better able to guarantee the survival of her + offspring.
• Low status males have to engage in high risk Strats to enhance chances of reproduction

Question 6

Daly and Wilson 1985
(agressions on males)

Answer 6

• Review of murders found motive was status.

Question 7

Agression in females

Answer 7

• Females norm less agg as mother had to survive for offspring
• Instead evolved low risk indirect Strats to gain eg gossip and ostracism to remove threat of competing females

Question 8

Hill and Hurtado 1996

Answer 8

• Children 5 times more likely to die if mother dies, 100%likely if before age of 1

Question 9

How does evolution link to attraction?

Answer 9

Evolutionary theories suggest that we are attracted to partners who increase reproductive success. Traits like symmetry or health signal good genes, while traits like kindness or status suggest good parenting potential. Attraction is influenced by selecting mates who can provide for offspring and pass on beneficial genes.

Question 10

How does natural selection explain fear?

Answer 10

Fear responses can be understood as adaptive behaviors. In an evolutionary context, fear of dangerous animals or threatening situations increased the chances of survival. Fear led to avoidance of predators and protection of oneself and offspring, which helped individuals live longer and reproduce.