evolution, natural selection and aggression

Question 1

what is evolution

Answer 1

the change in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations

Question 2

what is natural selection

Answer 2

animals with particular traitd that provide an advantage are morelikely to survive and reproduce passing on adpative traits

Question 3

what is sexual selection

Answer 3

organism ability to obtain or successfully copulate with a mate

Question 4

what does evolution say about general behaviour

Answer 4

brain built according to genes
characteristics and survival passed through genes
brain evolved to serve an adaptive function in the environment

Question 5

what does evolution say about aggression

Answer 5

males more aggressive as bigger stronger men were more successful
females less aggressive as they look after young vulnerable children
MAOA low activity gene means less serotonin, X linked so men more at risk

Question 6

evaluate evolution in explaining general behviour

Answer 6

+ supporting studies of observing animal and human behaviour
- reductionist, behaviour can be learned
+ kettlewell found moths that could camouflage were less likely to be eaten by birds
- dawin focused on research to validate not falsify, ignored evidence that didnt support, animal giving alarm call to save other animals

Question 7

evaluate evolution in terms of aggression

Answer 7

+ brunner studies extended family in netherlands, male member that showed more aggression had fault in MAOA gene
+ scientific theory, reduces behaviour to genes, observe what inherited charaterisitcs fitted environment, credible
- reductionist so whole situation not taken into account, behaviour can be learnt
- not all low functioning MAOA gene are aggressive