Evolutionary - Infideltiy & Jealousy Flashcards
Why has jealousy evolved?
To eradicate competition which then increased likelihood of passing of genes
How are aggression and jealousy linked?
Jealousy can be a precursor to aggression
What is the trigger for jealousy in males?
Sexual infidelity- decreases chance of him passing on genes & less sure child is his
What is the trigger for jealousy in females?
Emotional infidelity- makes her less sure she’ll get his resources
Males aggression has evolved to prevent what?
Cuckoldry - tricked into investing resources in children which aren’t their own
Which aggressive behaviours can arise due to threat of cuckoldry?
Sexual coercive tactics & murder
What did Camilleri find about sexual coercive tactics?
Risk of partner infidelity predicted likelihood of these tactics (inc. rape & sexual assault) as it ensures his genes are passed on
What did Daly & Wilson find about murder?
Many partner homicides commuted by men who had just been left/about to be left. Murder prevents cuckoldry
Who researched infidelity and jealousy?
Buss et al (X2) and Buss & Dedden
What does the evolutionary explanation suggest?
Aggression improved survival and reproductive chances of individuals
When Buss et al set up mutually exclusive scenarios what did they find?
Males most distressed by sexual infidelity 61% compared to females 13%
Women most distressed by emotional infidelity 87% relative to males 39%
What did Buss & Dedden find?
Women tend to criticise appearance and sexual promiscuity of other women to reduce their potential rivals’ attractiveness
What did Buss et al do in their 1992 study?
US student put in room by themselves, think of 3 scenarios(neutral, emotion & sexual infidelity) whilst EDA, pulse rate and muscle activity in brow area was being measured
What does EDA stand for?
Electro-dermal activity
What did Buss et al 1992 find?
Men showed increased pulse rate & more EDA in sexual infidelity.
Women showed more brow furrowing in emotional infidelity situation
Too simplistic point: what other explanations could explain aggression & jealousy?
May be linked to social expectations & jealousy may be result of people following stereotypes
What are the practical applications?
Predict that jealousy on part of partner may lead to aggression allowing family & friends to intervene.
Also in relationship counselling.
What evaluation point suggests that this explanation can’t be applied to all couples?
Aggression in gay couples as aggression not evolved in males to try keep their mates to improve reproductive chances as gay couples can’t reproduce but still feel jealousy
What are the methodological issue of some of the research?
Buss et al relied on questionnaires but people may not be honest about jealousy as it’s not socially positive behaviour. Based on forced choice so doesn’t get a true answer
