Lesson 5 - Evolutionary explanations of aggression Flashcards
What is sexual jealousy?
Sexual jealousy is a major motivation factor for the aggression of males. It is when men are aggressive over their sexual partners.
What does sexual jealousy aim to avoid?
Cuckoldry (when a man fathers another man’s child).
What are Wilson and Daly’s mate retention strategies?
Direct Guarding - when the male is vigilant over a partner’s behaviour
Negative Inducements - issuing threats of dire consequences e.g. suicide
Physical violence against partner - Domestic violence and abuse
What are the explanations for bullying?
Bullying occurs due to a power imbalance. Humans have evolved to do it, because it shows dominance and it promotes chances for reproduction.
Explain male bullying.
The characteristics of bullying are attractive and help with reproduction. The dominance, acquisition of resources, and strength. Also, it helps promote the bully’s health, as they are seen as ‘tough’, and are less likely to have guys be aggressive towards them.
Explain female bullying.
This is when a woman tries to control the partner and prevent infidelity. This means they can lock down their partner, and secure a resource provider for their children. They do this via verbal abuse and threats.
Explain aggression in warfare.
Human warfare originated to obtain valuable resources, to attract mates and forge intragroup bonds. Displays of aggressiveness and bravery are attractive to females.
Evaluation of the evolutionary explanations - Gender differences (Campbell)
It is not adaptive for women to use aggression. This backs up the evolutionary explanations concept.
Evaluation of the evolutionary explanations - Real life application
This bullying explanation has real life application as it can help reduce bullying. It can make bullies question why they need to bully, and address what they are lacking in.
Evaluation of the evolutionary explanations - Cultural Differences (Thomas)
Thomas studied the Kung San people of Western Botswana in Africa, and described them as ‘harmless people’. They had very negative attitudes towards aggression, and children were discouraged from showing it. This shows that aggression is not as strong as cultural norms.
Evaluation of the evolutionary explanations - Biologically determinist
This theory is biologically determinist, and suggests that we are aggressive due to our ancestors, and that is therefore beyond our control. This implies that physical violence against a female partner by a male partner is simply uncontrollable. This holds negative connotations, and thus creates societal issues.
