Aggression: Evolution - Evaluation

Question 1

S > Daly and Watson (1988)

Answer 1

• found that over time males have developed techniques to stop their females going with other males
• e.g. prevent her talking to males, abuse, snooping through possessions

Question 2

S > Buss (1987, 1989)

Answer 2

• 37 different cultures
• males value chastity (they don’t want to give resources to other children)
• females value faithfulness (they don’t want to share resources)

Question 3

S > Lorenz (1966)

Answer 3

• observed animals in the natural world

- males more aggressive and found to fight over limited resources

Question 4

C > Did Darwin use the scientific method?

Answer 4

Darwin used careful observation to turn his ideas and used evidence from fossils, increasing reliability.

Question 5

C > Is supporting research generalisable?

Answer 5

• Lorenz used animals so we can’t be sure that this research can also be applied to humans

Question 6

O > Harris (2002)

Answer 6

• found contradictory evidence
• found no gender differences
• both were concerned about emotional infidelity
• more recent research than Buss

Question 7

D > Freud

Answer 7

• considers both sides of nature/nurture debate
• differing between sexes
• root of aggression is unresolved conflict
• males: castration fear
• females: penis envy

Question 8

+ > Can this theory account for all relationships?

Answer 8

• this explanation suggests aggression comes about as a result of protecting offspring and ensuring genes are passed on
• cannot account for relationships where offspring is not produced

Question 9

+ > Deterministic?

Answer 9

• fails to consider the role of free will
• suggests our behaviour is innate
• unlikely as humans have control over their behaviour (free will)

Question 10

+ > Reductionist?

Answer 10

• ignores the role of brain processes

- less valid