evolutionary explanations

Question 1

what is an ultimate explanation?

Answer 1

long term - underlining causes - why was aggression needed and therefore passed down in the gene pool

Question 2

what is a proximate explanation?

Answer 2

short term - someone gets frustrated and then acts aggressively

Question 3

what is evolutionary explanation based on?

Answer 3

• based on the premise that the human brain is a product of evolution by natural selection

Question 4

how is aggression an evolutionary adaptation?

Answer 4

it helps humans obtain resources, solve problems etc resulting in a better rate of survival which leads to more reproduction and genes being passed on

Question 5

is this initial explanation an ultimate or proximate cause?

Answer 5

ultimate

Question 6

why have we evolved to be aggressive and how can this be applied to life now?

Answer 6

• territory - fighting for a jo, conflicts, drug dealer fighting for territory
• hierarchy within teams - at the workplace

Question 7

what is a cuckhold?

Answer 7

when a man is forced to raise children who aren’t his

Question 8

why is a cuckhold bad for men?

Answer 8

as all men want to pass down their own genes and therefore raising another mans genes is contrary to this

Question 9

why is a cuckhold advantageous for women?

Answer 9

advantageous for women to sleep with multiple me to increase the chances of pregnancy and having an intimate relationship for protection, companionship etc.

Question 10

sexual competition

Answer 10

• ancestral males seeking females have to compete with other males
• competition eliminated through aggression (physical aggression) - those who use aggression successfully against competitors would be more successful in acquiring mates and passing on their genes

Question 11

aggression in warfare

Answer 11

• behaviour associated with warfare evolved because of adaptive benefits for individual and offspring
• warfare originated to maintain resources, attract mates etc.
• displays of aggressiveness and bravery are attractive to females

Question 12

sexual jealousy

Answer 12

• men can never be entirely certain they’re the fathers
• adaptive functions of sexual jealousy would be to deter a mate or sexual infidelity
• Buss suggested a number of strategies including violence and threat towards a female, violence towards rivals (main cause of violence towards women)

Question 13

what are the 2 strategies men use to prevent cuckoldry and infidelity?

Answer 13

1. direct guarding - man’s vigilance over partners e.g checking who they have been seeing
2. negative inducements - e.g threats of consequence of infidelity ‘i’ll kill myself if you leave’

Question 14

what did buss suggest?

Answer 14

not all aggression is just males - also females who are more likely to exhibit verbal aggression aimed at reducing the attractiveness of competitors in the eyes of males

Question 15

strengths of evolutionary explanation

Answer 15

• recognises female and male aggression and highlights how it is different
• use of evidence to support - ethological approach
• can explain many types of aggression
• real world application e.g DV

Question 16

weaknesses of evolutionary explanation

Answer 16

• difficult to test as evidence is correlational and usually involves self-report
• doesn’t explain cultural differences in aggression
• presents male aggression as natural and therefore acceptable
• implications for treatment of male aggression within society