evolutionary explanation Flashcards
What are 2 evolutionary explanations for human aggression?
-Sexual Jealousy
-Bullying
How is sexual jealousy a evolutionary explanation?
-Fathers would attempt to avoid cuckoldry and raising a child with a different father as it would lead to a different mans genes continuing and less resources for the father.
-In an attempt to prevent this aggressive behaviours were adapted to prevent partners from straying.
What are 2 methods of male retention strategies and who observed them?
-Wilson and Daly (1996)
-Direct guarding over partners behaviour: checking who they see, keeping tabs on whereabouts, coming home early
Negative inducements: such as issuing threats of dire consequences for infidelity.
What percentage of women experienced male retention strategies reported by Wilson?
-women who reported male retention strategies experienced physical violence
-73% require medical attention
-53% said they feared for their lives
How is male bullying an evolutionary explanation for aggression?
-Volk et al. (2012) argued that characteristics associated with bullying are attractive to females- dominance and strength
-These behaviours are therefore naturally selected as males who bully would reproduce more
-Those who bully are less likely to be bullied themselves and therefore have better health and are less stressed ( Sapolsky 2004)
How is female bullying an evolutionary explanation for aggression?
-Women use bullying to secure a person’s fidelity which means they would continue to provide resources for their offspring
-Campbell 1999: behaviour would be naturally selected because of enhanced reproductive success
What are strengths of evolutionary explanations for aggression?
-Explains gender differences: Differences in genders can be explained in adaptive strategies. Campbell (1999) argues that it is not adaptive for a female with offspring to be physically aggressive as this would endanger her life and her child. This explains why females would be more verbally aggressive to retain a partner. Therefore evolutionary explanations can explain gender differences in aggression.
-Real-world application to reduce bullying: Ellis et al. (2016) suggests that bullying is adaptive. The meaningful roles anti-bullying intervention aims to increase costs of bullying and rewards of prosocial behaviour. For example, giving bullies positions and responsibilities in school. Therefore evolutionary explanations of aggression being adaptive help anti-bullying interventions.
What are the limitations for the evolutionary explanations for aggression
-Cultural differences: !Kung San people of Western Botswana in Africa were studied by Elizabeth Thomas (1958) who called them the “Harmless people”. She found they have negative attitudes towards aggression and it is punished in girls and boys. This shows that the cultural norms of an area constrain aggression and therefore there are existing cultural differences.
However, Richard Lee describes that the homicide rate is suprisingly high for a peaceful culture showing the controversy in this term and instead it is likely that Thomas had “observer bias” and saw what she wanted to see / expectations.
