ethological explanation

Question 1

what is the ethological explanation of aggression

Answer 1

= suggest main function of aggression is adaptive
- beneficial to survival
- designed to minimise conflict/spread resources around group
- establish dominance hierarchies

Question 2

what is ritualistic aggression

Answer 2

ritual = series of behaviours carried out in set order

Lorenz (1966) = observed intra-species fights in animals produced little actual physical damage
- consist of prolonged period of ritualistic signalling (e.g., displaying claws/teeth, threatening facial expressions)
- end with ritual appeasement displays = indicate acceptance of defeat/inhibit further aggressive behaviours in victor = prevent damage to loser

= help maintain species

Question 3

what is an innate releasing mechanism

Answer 3

IRM = inbuilt psychological process/structure (e.g. network of neurones in brain

• environmental stimulus (e.g. certain facial expression) trigger IRM = release specific sequence of behaviours

Question 4

what is a fixed action pattern

Answer 4

FAP = behavioural sequence released by IRM

Lea (1984) = 6 main features of FAP
- stereotyped/relatively unchanging
- universal
- unaffected by learning
- ballistic (once triggered follows inevitable course)
- single-purpose
- response to unidentifiable specific sign stimulus

Question 5

who conducted research into FAPs in sticklebacks

Answer 5

tinbergen

Question 6

tinberg’s research and findings

Answer 6

context = male sticklebacks highly territorial during spring mating season, develop red spot on underbelly during this time
- FAP aggressive behaviours initiated by sight of red spot

procedure
= presented sticklebacks with series of different-shaped wooden models (some with red spot, some without)

findings
= regardless of wooden model shape, if has red spot = stickleback would display aggressive behaviour

no red spot = no aggression, even if looked like stickleback

= FAPs unchanging in each encounter, once triggered = always ran completion

Question 7

research support of ethological explanation

Answer 7

research support for biological, innate basis of IRM and FAP systems

research provides link between MAOA activity and levels of aggression = evidence for the heritability of IRM and FAP systems
- aggressive behaviour = triggered by increased levels of testosterone = exposure to a releaser or signal most have come first = trigger IRM

= role of limbic system and IRM can be considered as valid explanations of
aggression

Question 8

weakness of ritualistic aggression

Answer 8

• Goodall observed chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park = found rival communities slaughtered each other in systematic fashion = despite appeasament and ritualistic signals being displayed by the victims

= supports idea that once releaser has triggered IRM, this will always lead to a FAP = so releaser is stronger predictor of aggressive behaviour than appeasement

Question 9

further weakness of ethological explanation

Answer 9

FAPs may be ‘modal’ rather than ‘fixed’,

Hunt = provided evidence that duration of each behaviour
within each FAP may vary between individuals/specific other animal targeted at

= suggest environmental/social factors may have significant influences on course of FAP
= result in lower validity of universal nature of FAPs as part of an explanation for aggression