Evolutionary explanations of human aggression Flashcards
Evolutionary exp
-Different reproductive challenges for men and women in EEA. -Led to sex differences to ensure survival of genes. -Argued differences based on perceived risk/actual infidelity. -Results in aggressive behaviour
Sexual jealousy in men
-Perceived infidelity in partner = jealous emotional state -This aggressive beh = adaptive response = reproductive success -Men; PI in FP = sexual jealousy bc uncertain about paternity. -Prevents wasting resources (cuckoldry) on non genetic kids. -TF; agg beh = fighting/assault to keep partner loyal. -May exp why male SJ often cited as cause for domestic violence. -Only 35 years ago, in the US if a husband killed his wife’s lover during the act of infidelity, it could be legally excused.
Sexual jealousy in women
-Agression = jealousy from PEI; PN is investing resources elsewhere -Females are certain of offsprings genes -Risk of losing res/protection threatens reproductive success. -F want signs of commitment/emotional bond from partner to ensure children survive to maturity.
Buss: interviews
-Found M/F jealousy reflects evo pressures. -60% M more jealous of sexual relationship -85% F more jealous of emotional attachment -Subjective answers supported by physiological measures ie HR and GSR
Harris: CE (focus on EI)
-Found similar results to Buss, using same procedure. -//when ppt asked to recall personal experience of partners actual infidelity. -Found no sig diff between M/F; both focus on EI. -Difference between believed/actual response to infidelity. -//SSI and interview = social desirability bias.
Face validity: 2002 Thai court (uni uxoricide)
-July 2002, Thai court freed former uni lecturer after he admitted to battering his wife to death (uxoricide) in a jealous rage upon discovering she had visited a former sweetheart. -Stark eg of ROJ in supporting evo exp of aggression (PI) -Justified Outrage from women’s rights groups, bc uxoricide = accidental kill but in evo terms; intentional act to v risk of cuckoldry.
Gender Bias:
-R on J + I looked at M/F perspective TF attempt to understand GD -//R on J + V largely focus on M, TF ignores that F also experience SJ and can behave violently as a result. -Important as R= F initiate and commit physical assaults As often as M do. -TF highlighting need for a more explicit understanding of theories for F violence
Animal studies
-Murder via SJ; seen as adaptive bc support from AS. -Well documented cases of Conspecific (same species) killings. -Eg M lions/cheetahs kill Cubs of rival males = ^Killers adaptive fitness as they can mate with female lion to produce own Cubs. -Also in primate family (closely related) killing of rival adult males also evidenced amongst gorillas.
Direct guarding and homicide
-Daley + Wilson: DG = mate retention strategy evolved as AR by M; deter F from leaving/commit adultery ensures reproductive success -Described; M attempt to restrict F independence to prevent other M from gaining access. -Can be agg ie prohibiting F from speaking/interacting with other M. Or intimidating F through aggressive questioning/behaviour -If M provides +ve benefits ie resources/security less likely to be violent, but men who are unable to provide positive benefits are more likely to become jealous and violent.
Shackleton et al: PI=agg (use for both)
-Surveyed 461 M and 560 F all in committed HS RS. -M answered Qs about use of MRT, F asked about partners MRT and how violent their partners were. -Sig +ve correlation between MRT and use of violence. -Also +ve correlation between women JPs+being victims 2 violence
Shackleton: support for uxorocide
- 13,670 uxorocides. found younger women were most at risk. -as women were in their reproductive prime them being unintentionally killed supports evolutionary exp.
- Evolved Homicide Module Theory; Duntley and Buss -“when a F is unfaithful, not only does M lose partner, but another M also gains a partner. -killing his F, man prevents competitor gaining a RA over him.
Narrow/Limited Evo exp
-AT J/DG have good face validity so play clear role in some agg beh -//It’s post-hoc justifications for aggression fail to acknowledge other biological explanations such as the role of NT. -Ultimately suggests more influences on human agg beh than evo exp as aggressions own properties are not explicable in terms of the evolutionary elements from which they are derived.
Daly and Wilson
-SJ further motivator in male-male homicide. -Meta-analysis; 8 studies same-sex killings involving love triangles -Found 92% were M-M homicide, only 8% were F-F -Accepting homicide is evolved beh, then V likely that ability to defend against murder has also evolved -Ability to read the signs of homicidal intent, which would make homicide V risky behaviour to engage in. -Likely that NS favours ability to hide homicidal intent from an intended victim.
Practical application: DG and domestic violence
-Possibly most important part of studying aggression is the RWA. -ie DG can be used to spot early indicators of VB in men against FP. -RFs potentially used to teach awareness to females/alert family members to danger signs indicating developing domestic violence -Particularly identifying passive aggression/controlling behaviours as these are preconditions for physical aggression. -Also useful in anger management rehab ^awareness of agg beh.
