Evolution, natural selection and aggression

Question 1

What is evolution?

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Answer 1

• Changes in inherited characteristics in a biological pop over successful generations

Question 2

What is natural selection?

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Answer 2

• Where inherited traits, enhance animals reproductive success are passed onto next gen

Question 3

What is the process of natural selection (Darwin)?

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Answer 3

• Comp for scarce resources (mates)
• Genes most useful (produce characteristics that aid survival) retained in the pop, overtime get ^frequent
• Outcome of selection = adaption
• Survivors better suited to life in current environment than predecessors

Question 4

What is sexual selection?

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Answer 4

• Behaviours ^reproductive success passed on, enhanced over succeeding gen of offspring

Question 5

What is ‘guarding your partner’?

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Answer 5

• Mate retention strategies often aggro behaviours men use to retain their partners, prevent ‘straying’

Question 6

What is ‘guarding your offspring’?

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Answer 6

• Direct aggro acts against others that threaten their children (aggro = protect their investment)
• ^Offspring’s reproductive chances later in life

Question 7

Evaluate evolutionary theory

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Answer 7

Males ^aggro. Cooperative females, naturally selected as cooperation helps protect them and offspring. Aggro male = ^likely get naturally selected as better hunters

Cultural norms !Kung San people, aggro discouraged from child hood. Yanomami aggro accepted to gain status (Wolfgang and Ferracuti)

Buss found males preferred younger ^attractive women, enhances reproductive success. Females preferred older, ambitious men, enhance their reproductive success as children are supported