Evolutionary flash cards eval
Determinism vs free will
The evolutionary argument is biologically determinist. We are aggressive because of adaptations that increased the survival chances of our ancestors and are beyond our control. This implies that aggression is inevitable and is not our ‘fault’. People are biologically determined to be aggressive in one way or another. Bullying is bound to happen because it brings advantages for the bully. We cannot be held responsible for our aggressive behaviour if it is completely determined by evolutionary or wider biological factors.
However, humanistic psychologists argue aggression is subject to us exercising our free will. They view aggression as a matter of choice – we decide whether or not to be aggressive. Also, cognitive factors allow us to think about the consequences of our behaviour. This is supported by research into cultural differences. In societies where aggression is minimal (such as the !Kung San), status comes from rejecting aggression as a means of securing advantages, resolving conflict etc. So aggression is not inevitable and is always our own responsibility.
Therefore a balanced position is soft determinism. We may be predisposed to aggression by evolutionary influences but actual aggressive acts depend on other factors.
Gender differences
One strength is that 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 such differences could be due to socialisation but some can be explained in terms of adptaibe strategies. For example Anne Campbell argues that it is not adaptive for a female with offspring to be physically aggressive because such behaviour would put her own survival at risk and that of her child. So a more adaptive strategy for females to use verbal aggression to retain a partner who provides rsocures. This would explain why women tend to display verbal rather than physical aggression
Therefore such arguments can provide support for the evolutionary approach to explain aggression
Cultural differences
One limitation is that there are substantial cultural differences in aggressive behaviour
Far form being universal there are some cultures where aggression appears to be almost non existent. For example the kung san people of western Botswana in Africa were studied by an anthropologist who called them the harmless people. She found that they have very negative attitude towards the use of aggression. Aggressive behaviour is discouraged from childhood both bots and girls and is therefore rate. Those who do use it have their status and reputation within the community diminished. Cultural and social norms powerfully constrain aggressive behaviour in this society. Therefore since some cultures do not show aggressiveness such behaviour may not necessarily be adaptive
Real world application
Another strength is that evolutionary explanation can be used to reduce bullying
One approach to reduce bullying is to address a bull’s perceived deficiencies. However although there are serval interventions based on this assumption bullying is still prevalent. Bruce Elis et al suggest an alternative strategy based on the view that bullying is adaptive. The meaningful roles anti bullying intervention aims to increase the costs of bullying and the rewards of prosocial alternatives. For example by giving bullies roles and repsonsiblities in school that provide an alternative source of status. Therefore viewing bullying as an adaptive behaviour may lead to more effective anti bullying interventions.
