Ethological Explanation Of Aggression Flashcards
Why did ethnologists study animals?
They believed behaviours such as aggression seen in animals in their natural environment can be generalised to humans.
What did Lorenz propose about why aggression occurred?
Aggression is often ritualistic eg threat displays + appeasement rituals. He argued that this behaviour is more innate and adaptive rather than direct aggression as it prevents harm. If they sustained injury as part of aggression it could impair reproduction and cause death. Therefore ritualistic aggression would deter the opponent without harm being caused. Supply is protected as well.
What did ethnologists believe about evolved biological responses?
That animals have a built in neural structure which when exposed to certain stimuli will cause the release of an automatic behavioural response.
What is an innate releasing mechanism?
An inbuilt biological structure triggered by a sign stimulus. They form the basis of explaining aggression and other behaviours like courtship and mating.
What is a fixed action pattern?
The result of the aggressive behavioural response. a specific sequence of pattern or behaviour. It is unchanging, shared by all members of a species and once triggered has to follow inevitable course.
What features do fixed action patterns share?
Stereotyped - occur in the same way
Universal - all species respond the same
Not affected by learning/experience
Cannot be altered and follows inevitable path
Each behaviour has a specific environmental trigger/sign stimulus.
Give an example of an innate releasing mechanism and fixed action pattern
Male sticklebacks are highly territorial during mating season when they develop a red spot on their underbelly. If another male enters their territory displaying a red spot (sign stimulus) an innate releasing mechanism is activated. This leads to the fixed action pattern of stereotyped aggressive behaviour.
Evaluate the ethological approach to explaining aggression.
S - sticklebacks. (Can’t extrapolate) but; found highly ritualistic fighting in males on coast of Ireland often took the place of physical aggression and was simply a ritualistic sign. Also when sticklebacks were presented w wooden models with the red spot on their underbelly they responded aggressively showing it is universal and innate.
C - inconsistencies. Assumes aggression resulting in death is accidental (ritualistic not direct) but male monkeys and lions systematically kill off male offspring or group members casting doubt on agg being ritualistic and harmless.Methodological issues eg can’t extrapolate as IRM and FAPs good for animals but not humans.
I - environmental factors important eg learning and experience interact w innate factors so must be considered. Rather than ‘FAP’ use ‘general behaviour pattern’ or modal action patterns to say behaviours are flexible and not just innate. Maybe down to training or species differentiation as a result of selective breeding.
