Evolutionary Explanations of Human Aggression: Evaluations

Question 1

what are the evaluations for the evolutionary explanations of human aggression?

Answer 1

• strength = gender differences
• limitation = cultural differences
• limitation = real world application

Question 2

explain the gender differences evaluation for evolutionary explanation of aggression.

Answer 2

• evolutionary theory can explain why males and females differ in their uses of aggression
• lots of research shows that there are gender differences in aggression
• e.g. differences could be due to socialisation but some can be explained in terms of adaptive strategies
• Campbell argues that it is not adaptive for a female with offspring to be physically aggressive as it would put her own survival at risk and her child
• so females use verbal aggression to retain a partner who provides resources, which explains why women tend to display verbal rather than physical aggression
  = provides support for the evolutionary approach to explaining aggression

Question 3

explain the cultural differences evaluation for evolutionary explanation of aggression.

Answer 3

• there are substantial cultural differences in aggressive behaviour
• some cultures where aggression appears to be almost non-existent
• e.g. !Kung San people of western Botswana in Africa were studied by the anthropologist Thomas who called the harmless people
• they had very negative attitudes towards the use of aggression
• aggressive behaviour is discourages from childhood in boys and girls so is rare
• those who did use aggressive behaviour have their status and reputation within community diminished
• cultural and social norms constrain aggressive behaviour in society
  = some cultures don’t show aggressive behaviour, so is not necessarily adaptive

Question 4

explain the real world application evaluation for evolutionary explanation of aggression.

Answer 4

• evolutionary explanations can be used to reduce bullying
• one way to approach bullying is to address a bully’s perceived deficiencies
• Ellis et al suggests an alternative strategy based on the view that bullying is adaptive
• ‘meaningful roles’ anti-bullying intervention aims to increase the costs of bullying and rewards of prosocial activities
• e.g. giving bullies roles and responsibilities in school that provide an alternative source of status
  = viewing bullying as adaptive behaviour may lead to more effective anti-bullying interventions