Evolutionary explanation of aggression Flashcards
Why is aggression caused?
Natural selection and passing of genes
What are the reasons for aggression explained by the evolutionary explanation?
- Males are aggressive to protect mate and scare females into fedility
- Females are less aggressive as it is too much of a cost, as men want pretty girls who are youthful and fertile
- Aggression helps meant oacheve dominance and status
- Aggression in males is to protect resources
Who supports this explanation?
The evolutionary explanation is supported by Daly and Wilson who found that 27 % of men are in prison for sexual infidelity. This is a strength because it supports the idea that protective genes will be passed on which means it is a credible explanation of aggression.
However 27% is a small percentage which means there must also be other factors that contribute towards aggression.
Who conflicts this explanation?
The evolutionary explanation is conflicted by Raine who found that those with higher activity in the right amygdala and lower activity in the pre frontal cortex had higher levels of aggression. This is a weakness because it can be tested via brain scans therefore the evolutionary explanation lacks empirical testing which lowers the credibility.
However Raines participants were in prison before the experiment took place which means the stressful environment may have had an impact on aggression levels lowering the validity of the explanation.
What Is another explanation of human aggression?
Another explanation of human aggression is the hormone explanation which suggests that higher levels of testosterone causes higher levels of aggression. This is a better explanation because it can be empirically tested via blood tests which means it is a credible explanation of human aggression.
Why is this useful?
One reason why the evolutionary explanation is useful is because it signifies the importance of resources to reduce the reasons to compete. This is a strength because it reduces aggression in society when there are resources available to everybody.
However this explanation is socially sensitive because it justices domestic abuse and suggests that men account help it due to eerie aggressive genes which have been passed on.
Can it be tested?
The evolutionary explanation is post hoc research which means it from millions of years ago so cannot be tested. This is a weakness because it cannot be directly measured which means we cannot establish cause and effect, lowering the credibility of the explanation.
