evolution - bio explanantion Flashcards
what is evolution?
the gradual development of living organisms from earlier forms during history of the earth
how does evolution occur?
through the process of natural selection in which organisms more adapted to the environment reproduce more frequently
passing on genes
how are genetic mutation linked?
they occur over time where the genetic structure of an organism changes
if this change is favourable to the environment it will be passed on
this helps to explain changes such as the fact giraffes use to have small necks
how does evolution explain behaviour?
any behaviour that was favourable at the time would be passed on
structure of the brain has adapted to serve an adaptive function
why has the brain adapted?
to sever an adaptive function in the eea
what is the eea?
the environment of evolutionary adaption
the conditions in the environment at a time that a species was adapting in response to n
what is epigenetic modification?
behaviour that is due to genes and the environment
how is success measured?
success throughout evolution is measured through production of offspring that survive ton reproduce
why has mating driven male aggression?
males that were physically stronger were seen as more capable of gaining resources and fighting off predators to protect offspring and mates
more favourable by mates
how is jealously linked?
aggression can come in forms of threats, jealousy would cause aggression as others may become threatened when another male tries to take their partner
threatening their chance to reproduce
how has competition driven aggression?
competition for resources and mates,the one who would fight the other off etc
how can evolution explain female aggression?
females can be seen as more verbally aggressive due to the disadvantage that physical aggression would bring them
need to look after children and feed rather than get into aggressive situations
due t differences in male and female aggression what would then be expected?
that there would be differences in the structure and chemistry of males and females biologically
what can development be caused by?
your environment but also maturation (nature)
what is your genotype/
the description of all your genes
what is your phenotype?
what you actually turn into e.g. how your genes interact with your environment
what does the biological approach believe?
that all behaviour that is inherited has an adaptive function
what is the explanation based upon and why is this a strength?
based upon darwin theory which has stood the test of time
it is scientific
reduces behaviour in terms of the genes that guide it
darwin observed many organisms and made conclusions on how b linked to environment
credible based of observations
why is the explanation reductionist?
the theory of evolution only focuses on the transmission of genes rather than other ways in which behaviour can be learned e.g. though observation
what did buss and shakelton find?
they found that males tend to give in to females but also get threatening when other males were around
both strategies are useful for survival
supporting
why might the theory be classed as incomplete?
as it might not be robust enough to explain all types of aggression
eg riots
what did wilson and daley find?
looked at mruder cases in detroit, found majority were young men
29 of cases had resulted in murder through escalated showing off
