Evolution to explain aggression

Question 1

Define aggression

Answer 1

a range of behaviours that can result in both physical and psychological harm to yourself, others or objects in the environment

Question 2

What was Darwin’s theory of evolution (Darwinism) ?

Answer 2

humans are a species of animal and that modern humans have evolved from ape-like ancestors that lived 6 million years ago

Question 3

what are the 4 elements of natural evolution?

Answer 3

evolution by natural selection
the process of natural selection
sexual selection
evolution and aggression

Question 4

what is survival of the fittest?
(natural selection)

Answer 4

it’s competition between 2 individual organisms

Question 5

What is natural selection?

Answer 5

It evolves entire populations through survival of the fittest where behaviors and traits that help organisms survive and reproduce are more likely to be passed down through generations

Question 6

what is evolution?

Answer 6

it’s the consequence of natural selection over a thousand of years where an organism/species changes into a different and improved complex form

Question 7

what is a natural instinct for survival?

Answer 7

where we are genetically programmed to behave in ways that maximise chances of survival

Question 8

what do(es) mutations and natural instinct mean for us?

Answer 8

we naturally select the behaviour that is beneficial to us

Question 9

how has the brain evolved?

Answer 9

the structures functions of our brains have evolved to serve and adapt to the environment

Question 10

what is evolution about?

Answer 10

how inherited characteristics are passed from one generation to another

Question 11

why are some organisms better equipped?

Answer 11

because of mutations or mistakes in the gene copying process

Question 12

how do the mutations/ mistakes in the gene copying process benefit to some offspring?

Answer 12

it allows them to survive better until after a few generations all members have the same gene

Question 13

what is an example of an advantageous mutation?

Answer 13

giraffes and their slightly long necks-
allowed them to have an advantage over shorter-necked giraffes in searching for food making them more likely to live longer to reproduce and their version of the genes would be passed on
the shorter-necked giraffes version of genes would eventually die out through sexual selection

Question 14

why does evolution happen?

Answer 14

genetic differences between organisations create variation

Question 15

how does variation arise?

Answer 15

genes from parents are combined and also due to spontaneous mutations in genes

Question 16

what happens to the individuals who possess characteristics that help them to stay alive and reproduce?

Answer 16

they’re the ones who pass their genes onto the next generation

Question 17

what happens to the genes of the individuals who cannot survive/fail to reproduce?

Answer 17

their genes are not represented in future generations

Question 18

why is reproduction key?

Answer 18

in an individual doesn’t successfully then the characteristics are not passed on

Question 19

what is the process of evolution?

Answer 19

an organism that is better adapted to their environment is able to survive and reproduce more frequently, passing on its genes.

Question 20

what happens to the genes which are the most useful?

Answer 20

they’re retained in the population and over time become more frequent

Question 21

what is the outcome of selection?

Answer 21

adaption

Question 22

what is sexual selection?

Answer 22

the influence of evolution acting on the success of reproduction

Question 23

how does sexual selection explain why some characteristics which may appear disadvantageous have a survival advantage?

Answer 23

the characteristics are attractive to potential mates

Question 24

what is an example of a disadvantageous characteristic which is actually beneficial?

Answer 24

the male peacocks tail- its’ heavy and highly visible to predators however it’s attractive to females as it’s an indication of genetic fitness

Question 25

how are some behavioural characteristics beneficial within sexual reproduction?

Answer 25

they're adaptive because they provide an advantage over competitors for reproductive rights

Question 26

why is it beneficial for a male to be aggressive?

Answer 26

it allows him to fend off potential reproductive rivals

Question 27

How is evolutionary success measured?

Answer 27

by the production and survival of offspring

Question 28

what is the compulsory sexual selection example?

Answer 28

successful males would have to be stronger and bigger and have to be able to be aggressive when their resources were threatened through hunting so that they could provide for their family. such men would have to be more prepared to attack/ fight for resources to provide for their family. This would give them reproductive advantages as females would choose men that could provide better protection and food

Question 29

What are male retention strategies?

Answer 29

Male retention strategies are aggressive behaviours men use to keep their partners and stop them from being unfaithful

Question 30

What do Wilson and Daly say about direct guarding?

Answer 30

involves male vigilance over a partner's behaviour

Question 31

how does guarding extend to offspring?

Answer 31

human parents will direct aggressive acts against other people (other animals) that threaten their children

Question 32

why is aggression adaptive to children in guarding?

Answer 32

each child is a valuable genetic commodity. Aggression is a way for parents to protect their 'investment', increasing the offspring's reproductive chances late in life

Question 33

In which situation does Eric Steiner say females can be just as aggressive as males?

Answer 33

in protecting offspring

Question 34

what evidence from the animal kingdom by Kettlewell provides evidence of evolution? (C.o.d.a)

Answer 34

he observed and found that the colour of moths suited their environment

Question 35

Why is the evolutionary explanation of aggression considered scientifically credible? (C.o.d.a)

Answer 35

It’s based on scientific methods like observing measurable behaviours, carefully gathering data, and testing cause and effect. Findings are replicable, adding to its credibility

Question 36

How does viewing humans as part of the animal kingdom support the credibility of evolutionary explanations of aggression? (C.o.d.a)

Answer 36

there's face validity in that we can understand humans as part of the animal world: a species that wants to maximise its chances of survival

Question 37

How does Darwin’s theory and genetic research support the credibility of evolutionary explanations of aggression? (C.o.d.a)

Answer 37

Darwin’s theory of natural selection is well-established with strong evidence. Modern science supports it by linking genes to inherited traits, adding scientific credibility

Question 38

Why might comparing humans to animals weaken the evolutionary explanation of aggression? (c.O.d.a)

Answer 38

Humans are not like animals—culture, laws, and socialisation control our instincts, making the comparison limited.

Question 39

How can aggression be a disadvantage in terms of survival? (c.O.d.a)

Answer 39

Aggressive behaviour might put someone at risk or make them less attractive, so it doesn’t always help pass on genes.

Question 40

Why is it difficult to prove the evolutionary explanation of aggression? (c.O.d.a)

Answer 40

It can’t be tested directly and most evidence is only correlational.

Question 41

Why do some people reject the evolutionary explanation of aggression? (c.O.d.a)

Answer 41

Some reject it for religious reasons, as it may clash with beliefs like Christianity.

Question 42

Does evolution explain all aggression? (c.O.d.a)

Answer 42

No—it explains some aggression that helps survival, but not all aggressive behaviour fits the theory.

Question 43

what different approach looks at aggression in a different view? (c.o.D.a)

Answer 43

The learning approach believes behaviour (aggression) is learnt through the environment

Question 44

what would strict behaviourists argue about behaviour? (c.o.D.a)

Answer 44

ALL behaviour is learned and that human beings are born as tabula rasa (a blank slate), with behaviour like aggression being learned later

Question 45

what would biological determinists argue about behaviour? (c.o.D.a)

Answer 45

ALL behaviour is hereditary. Because we have evolved from aggressive animals we have an inbuilt urge of aggression

Question 46

Why do most psychologists take the middle way between biological determinism and behaviourism? (c.o.D.a)

Answer 46

genetics give us predispositions to behave a certain way but we can resist these impulses if we try

Question 47

How can the theory of evolution be used to accept aggression? (c.o.d.A)

Answer 47

if we have evolved from aggressive animals, then aggression is apart of our nature and cannot be removed and therefore we should accept it and live with it

Question 48

How has Raymond Dart (1953) applied evolution to his "killer ape theory"? (c.o.d.A)

Answer 48

the idea that humans have descended from particularly aggressive ape-like ancestors and that war and aggression have been the driving forces in human evolution and may be why we have come to dominate all the other species

Question 49

What is a counter argument in the applicability of evolution by Hart & Sussman (2005)- Man the hunted

Answer 49

argues that our ancestors were not killer-predators but prey to dangerous animals like sabre-tooth tigers which means humans evolve to survive by co-operating and looking out for one another. Co operation, not aggression, has driven human evolution