Evolutionary Explanations of Aggression Flashcards
assumption of the evolutionary explanation
EE focus on the idea that modern behaviours such as aggression evolved because they helped to solve challenges faced by our distant ancestors, so became more widespread in the gene pool through a process of natural and sexual selection
how might aggression be useful
- protecting against a threat
- power/dominance/competition
- sexual reproduction
- parenting, teaching, training
- sport
- therapeutic/cathartic
outline evolutionary explanation
- introduction
Ev psychologists argue aggression is adaptive (good for survival) as it would have been effective for solving a number of survival and reproductive issues among early humans.
for example, squiring and defending resources, intimidating or eliminating male rivals for females, and deterring mates from sexual infidelity.
solving these problems enhanced the survival and reproductive success of the individual and therefore these behaviours would have spread through the gene pool, becoming common amongst all humans (particularly males)
what is intersexual aggression
Inter-sexual selection is sometimes referred to as ‘female choice’, because it’s based on the idea that due to the greater investment of time, energy and resources required from a female to raise a child, females need to be more careful when choosing a partner.
They need to be sure that their partner will provide the right genetic fit and will be willing to provide resources to support the female and the child.
what is intra-sexual aggression
Intra-sexual selection is a preferred male strategy.
It refers to the evolutionarily developed features that allow a male to compete with other males for a female mate.
The winner of this competition reproduces and passes on to his offspring the genes that contributed to his success.
For example, a physically stronger and larger male will be able to fight off his competitors for access to the female, so he will produce physically stronger sons.
Intra-sexual selection also can explain the differences in the body size and physical appearance between males and females (physical dimorphism).
Since males need to compete with other males for an access to a fertile mate, sexual selection favours physically strong and aggressive males.
outline evolutionary explanation
- sexual competition
ancestral males seeking access to females would have had to compete with other males (intra-sexual selection)
one way of eliminating this competition would have been through aggression
the successful individual would have increased their social status and been more successful in acquiring and protecting their mates from competing males and so would be more successful in passing on their genes to the offspring.
this would then have led to the development of a generically transmitter tendency for males to be more aggressive to other males
outline evolutionary explanation
- sexual jealousy
male aggression also occurs as a result of sexual jealousy, which arises as a result of paternal uncertainty (Archer, 2013)
unlike women, men can never be entirely certain that they are the fathers of their children.
so, men are at risk of ‘cuckoldry’ (when a man is deceived into raising and investing in offspring that are not his, thus aiding the survival of genes that are not his)
Buss (1988) suggested males have a number of strategies that have evolved specifically for the purpose of keeping a mate.
these include the use of violence if threats of violence to prevent her from straying, as well as violence towards a perceived love rival.
evaluate evolutionary explanation
- STRENGTHS
P) plausible account of gender differences in aggression
E) Campbell (1999); female with offspring motivated to be less aggressive bc the behaviour would put her child at risk
E) explain why women more likely to use verbal aggression/ non aggressive methods of addressing conflict
L) successfully explain why males engage more in aggressive acts
P) support from crime data
E) Daly et al (1982) male sexual jealousy most common motivation for domestic killings in USA
E) Dell (1984) sexual jealousy 17% of murder cases in UK
L) evidence from controlled research and criminal statistics that support the link between sexual infidelity in males, jealousy, and increased aggression
evaluate evolutionary explanation
- LIMITATIONS
P) gender differences in aggression better explained by socialisation
E) Smetana (1989): parents more likely to physically punish boys for bad conduct, and explaining to girls why their conduct was wrong
E) increase male physical violence, and as girls learn they are less powerful than boys, more social forms of aggression
L) doubt that males have evolved aggression, may be result of cultural norms and learning
P) determinist
E) argue due to evolution, males are biologically determined to be more aggressive than females
E) removes free will/choice over aggressive behaviour
L) justifying acts of violence, issues with law
P) gender bias
E) exaggerate differences between males and females (alpha bias) in terms of aggression in relationships
E) Archer (2000) conducted family conflict studies found equal rates of aggressive assaults by women
L) perspective on males as more aggressive may not be true
