Evolutionary explanations of human aggression Flashcards
How do evolutionary explanations describe behaviour?
Human brain is product of evolution by natural selection. Means our behaviour is shaped by problems faced by our ancestors.
Why was aggression important in our evolutionary past?
Gaining resources
Eliminating sexual competition
Fighting for group survival
Deterring females from sexual infidelity
How and why would ancestral males compete with other males?
Using aggression to intimidate or eliminate male rivals for females. Enhance the survival and reproductive success of the individual. Causes aggressive genetics to be passed on.
Why do males experience sexual jealousy?
Fertilisation hidden - cannot be 100% sure they are the father of a child. Risk of cuckoldry. Adaptive function of sexual jealousy deters mate from infidelity .
What are the evolutionary consequences of cuckoldry?
Aggressive response in victim male towards partner and external mate, with the evolutionary aim of reducing wasting of time and resources.
What evidence is there for the influence of sexual jealousy on male aggressive behaviour?
Study into domestic violence found that in the majority of cases, women cite extreme cases of jealousy in their partner as the main cause of violence towards them. Clear demonstration of intimidation and threatening of female away from infidelity.
Why did males take part in war?
Adaptive benefits of individual and offspring: war to gain resources, attract mates and form intra-group bonds.
Describe two benefits of partaking in war for males in the past.
Displays of aggression/bravery attractive to females (warriors more sexual partners and children) bringing a reproductive benefit.
Aggression in combat increased status, bringing protection from other males, increasing survival chances.
(AO3) How may gender differences in aggression be better explained?
Different socialisation experiences. Boys found to be more likely to be physically punished for bad behaviour. Girls are explained to why their behaviour is bad. Decreases female physical violence (believe they are weaker than boys) because they adopt social forms of aggression - acts that reduce rivals status. Boys also learn aggression through SLT. Suggests aggression not just due to eliminating rivals, but that females have formed a different type of aggression.
(AO3) Describe evidence for male sexual competition in the past.
Puts - men 75% more muscle mass than women, have thicker jawbones, higher aggression levels. Suggests adaptations as a result of more aggressive males being sexually successful.
(AO3) Why is the evolutionary explanation of aggression limited?
Basing aggression on mating success, sexual jealousy and status in warfare fails to explain astonishing levels of cruelty seen in human conflicts but not non-human species. E.g. Rwandan genocide or actions of human torture when opponent already defeated. Suggest de- individuation may be more important than evolutionary influences.
(AO3) Explain how the evolutionary explanation is overly reductionist.
Explains aggressive behaviour solely as a result of evolutionary past. Ignores importance of free-will. Accounts for variations in aggression and may explain human’s capacity to be cruel. Free-will important in court of law (domestic violence cannot be blamed on evolutionary past). Shows important of interactionist approach.
