evolutionary explanations Flashcards
why is sexual jealousy a major motivator of aggressive behaviour for men
men can never be sure they are the fathers of their own children as fertilisation of the female egg is hidden from them. This parental uncertainty is a real threat referred to as cuckoldry
why has sexual jealousy in men evolved
to prevent women from cheating on them
what does jealousy lead to
aggression in the form of domestic violence which will discourage women from cheating on their mate. It is a strategy men use to prevent their partners from straying.
Buss’ 2 outlined male retention strategies that jealous mates evolved to prevent their mates from straying
- direct guarding
- negative inducements
what is direct guarding
male vigilance over a partners behaviour including checking who they are seeing, keeping tabs on whereabouts, installing trackers on phones etc.
what is negative inducements
issuing dire consequences for infidelity (eg. i’ll kill myself)
mate retention strategies linked to physical violence
Wilson et al found women who reported mate retention strategies in partners were twice as likely to experience physical violence at their hands - 73% of these women required medical attention and 53% said they feared for their lives
David Buss study on subjective distress over a partners external involvement
pps presented with a dilemma : think of a serious romantic relationship you had have or will have, and you discover that person has become interested in someone else. which would distress you more? a) imagining your partner forming a deep emotional bond with that person
b) imagining your partner in passionate sexual intercourse with that person
Results: females felt more distress over emotional scenarios whereas men felt more distress over sexual scenarios. This supports the evolutionary idea that men dont want to be cuckolded whereas women want men to be invested in them and the child
bullying may be an adaptive form of aggression
bullying is an adaptive behaviour as it consists of behaviour that would aid survival
what does bullying in men suggest
dominance, strength, acquisition of resources.
bullying in females
female bullying is less likely to be openly direct and violent than males. It may include exclusion of victim, spreading lies, verbal abuse, cyberbullying.
what are the evolutionary advantages of female bullying
may be able to secure resources by warding off competition for a male with resources which in turn ensures that any future offspring will be secure and will carry superior genetic material
