Evolutionary Explanation of Human Aggression

Question 1

Outline the evolutionary explanation of sexual jealousy

Answer 1

SJ = Major motivator of aggressive behaviour in males which can be given evo explanation
Jealousy occurs as men, unlike women, can never be sure of paternity, resulting in threat of cuckoldry (raising child not their own)
Any investment in offspring who don’t share male’s gene = waste of resources - contributes to survival of rival’s genes & leaves ‘father’ with fewer resources to invest in own future offspring
Men in evo past who avoided cuckoldry more reproductively successful, so psych mechanisms evolved to battle cuckoldry, e.g. sexual jealousy: aggressive strategies to retain partner

Question 2

Outline the mate retention strategies

Answer 2

Direct Guarding - Male vigilance over partner’s behaviour, e.g. tracking apps on phone
Negative Inducements - Issuing threats of dire consequences for infidelity, e.g. “I’ll kill myself if you leave me”

Question 3

Outline physical violence against partner

Answer 3

Wilson et al. (1995) asked women to report mate retention strategies in partners
Measured in terms of extent to which they agreed with statements like, “he insists on knowing who you’re with at all times”
Women agreed with these statements 2x as likely to have xp physical violence from partners
73% got medical attention & 53% feared for lives - supports view MRS linked to physical violence

Question 4

Outline the evolutionary explanation for male bullying

Answer 4

Volk et al. (2012) argue characteristics linked with bullying behaviour attractive to females - dominance, acquisition of resources & strength. Bullying also wards off rivals
Thus, bullying behaviour naturally selected as these males have greater reproductive success
Adolescent boys who gain reputation for being tough less likely to xp aggression themselves as other boys avoid contact, benefitting health as those top of dominance hierarchy xp less stress

Question 5

Outline evolutionary explanation of female bullying

Answer 5

Often takes place within relationship & method of controlling partner
Women use bullying to secure partner’s fidelity - continue to provide resources for future offspring
Such behaviour would be naturally selected bc of enhanced reproductive success

Question 6

Evaluate evolutionary explanation of human aggression

Answer 6

Strength - GENDER DIFFERENCES - can explain why males & females differ in uses of aggression
E.g. - Differences could be due to socialisation but some can be explained in terms of adaptive strategies. Campbell (1999) argues it’s not adaptive for female with offspring to be physically aggressive as it puts her & child survival at risk. More adaptive strategy for females is to use verbal aggression to retain partner who provides resources
Ex. - Can provide support for evo approach to explaining aggression

Limitation - CULTURAL DIFFERENCES - Some cultures where aggression non-existent
E.g. - Thomas (1958) studied !Kung San people (Harmless People), finding very negative attitudes towards aggression. Aggressive behaviour discouraged from childhood in both boys & girls, thus rare. Those using it have dismissed status & reputation within community. Cultural & social norms powerfully constrain aggressive behaviour in this society
Ex. - Since some cultures don’t show aggressiveness, behaviour not necessarily adaptive

Strength - REAL-WORLD APPLICATION - evo explanations used to reduce bullying
E.g. - An approach to reducing bullying = addressing bully’s perceived deficiencies. Ellis et al. (2016) suggest alternative strategy based on view bullying is adaptive. ‘Meaningful roles’ anti-bullying intervention aims to increase costs of bullying & rewards of pro social alternatives, e.g. giving bullies roles & responsibilities in school providing alternative source of status
Ex. - Thus, viewing bullying as adaptive behaviour may lead to more effective anti-bullying interventions