2/ Agression - Ethological and evolutionary explanations Flashcards
explain what is meant by the ethological explanation? who came up with it?
- That aggression is innate, adaptive and occurs in all species - no learning is required, it is natural. (rituals)
- Lorenz
what is meant by the ethological explanation innate relating mechanism? first part.
aggression is a automatic biological response in the brain. this inbuilt biological structure is called the innate releasing mechanism.
what is meant by the ethological explanation fixed action pattern? second part.
the resulting aggressive behavioural response - have the features…stereotyped behaviours, universal (all species will respond same way), not affected by experience or learning, has specific environmental trigger.
explain how male stickleback fish are relevant in the ethological explanation.
Tinbergen investigated male sticklebacks during mating season. highly territorial they develop red spot under their belly. if another male enters with a red spot (environmental trigger) an innate realising mechanism is released, leads to fixed action pattern of stereotyped behaviour.
what evidence is there to support the ethological explanation?
presented male stickleback fish with wooden models of fish with red spot on their underbelly. ALL male sticklebacks responded in an aggressive manner - shows it is universal and supports aggression is a innate behaviour.
what evidence is there to challenge the ethological explanation?
as aggression is suggested to be innate it should happen the same in all cultures. although in lab experiment South American males reacted more aggressively than North American males when insulted. shows there are cultural differences.
what methodological issues are there with ethological explanation?
cannot extrapolate results from animal studies. environments in which animals and humans develop are very different.
what is a weakness of the ethological explanation?
researchers believe environmental factors play a bigger role. uses the influence of both nature and nurture. e.g. some dogs may chase cats some may not. it is not a fixed pattern it is a general behavioural pattern.
explain what is meant by the evolutionary explanation of aggression.
aggression is an adaptive strategy that has solved challenges for our ancestors. solving these challenges enhanced individuals survival and reproductive chances.
what are the two examples where male aggression is adaptive?
- where there is competition for female mates (sexual competition.)
- sexual jealously.
explain what is meant by the evolutionary explanation, sexual competition.
male ancestors had to compete with each other for female mates. men who successfully used aggression got a mate and therefore reproduced and passed on their genes. therefore behaviour has remained in the gene pool to this day.
explain what is meant by the evolutionary explanation, sexual jealously.
men in fear of being ‘cuckolded’ - if women has sexual relationship with another man. has fear of bringing up a child that is not his. SO men may become aggressive to prevent females from being unfaithful.
what evidence is there to support the evolutionary explanation?
used a survey to investigate the correlation between the males use of retention strategies (indicator of jealously) and aggression. found a positive correlation, so it supports sexual jealously is associated with aggression towards a partner.
what evidence is there to challenge the evolutionary explanation?
fail to explain high levels of cruelty found in human conflicts e.g. genocide, why humans torture their opponents when they have already been defeated and no longer pose a threat.
why is the evolutionary explanation considered to be socially sensitive?
aggression in jealousy is so cuckolderly can be avoided but this is a socially unacceptable behaviour. also represents women in a subordinate role in society damaging the campaign for equal rights for women to men.
