Evolution and Aggression

Question 1

Whitehurst

Answer 1

Whitehurst found that in 100 cases of spousal violence, the husband’s frustration over their inability to control their wives and accusations of infidelity were the most reported causal factors - validates explanation with research evidence

Question 2

Wilson

Answer 2

Wilson found that in a questionnaire, women who indicated that their partners were jealous and did not like them talking to other men were twice as likely to have experienced violence from their partners - supports evolutionary theory with research evidence, validating it

Question 3

Shackleton

Answer 3

Shackleton surveyed 461 men and 560 women all in committed heterosexual relationships. The men answered questions about their use of mate retention techniques and women about their partners’ use of mate retention techniques and how violent their male partners were. There was a positive correlation found between men who used mate retention techniques and their use of violence - supports idea with research evidence that male aggression is the result of sexual jealousy, validating theory

Question 4

Dreznick

Answer 4

Dreznick suggested there may be an alternative explanation, such as difference in beliefs of what constitutes infidelity. If men do not perceive emotional infidelity as infidelity, then they would not be jealous in response to a partner’s emotional infidelity - refutes theory suggesting it is reductionist and ignores individual differences