Evolutionary Explanation - Group Display

Evolutionary Explanation - Group Display

1. argues that group display of aggression in humans is an adaptive response

   • has benefits for survival
   • and therefore increases chances of reproductive success

2. Group display of aggression in humans can determine territories

   • and intimidate rival groups to keep + acquire valuable resources.

3. Group display of aggression can show dominance and aggression without actual violence

   • >Therefore it is an adaptive behaviour because it can avoid serious physical injury.

4. Buss(2011) argues that if it does result in violence i.e military conflict or gang warfare

   • virtually always because of valuable resources worth fighting for
     • such behaviour is based on evolved psychological mechanisms which were adaptive in our ancestral past.
       • socially sensitive research-suggests natural/inevitable takes away moral responsibility from individual for aggressive behaviour. Critcise also determinism - slaves born to aggressive instincts and can't exercise free will
         • Despite ethical concerns, doesnt mean explanation is not valid. Some psychs say, Scientific duty and right to carry out such researchprovidesextensive research evidence

5. Alcock(1998) found that group displays of aggression is a common social behaviour in many different species and claims that the same evolved behaviour applies to humans.

   • He argues that warriors, armies and gangs demonstrate evolved ritualised group displays which sometimes involve extreme aggression but often avoid actual aggression
     • by intimidating other groups and demonstrating dominance
       • Ultimately group displays have evolved to maintain and acquire resources which increase reproductive successl
         • Expl. provides valuable insights into our understanding of group display in huans and supports the idea that aggr. group display evolved b/c it provides Survival Benefits
         • Anthropomorphism-largely based on non-human animals-assumes same principle in humans. >Therefore findings for non-human animals might not be representative of aggressive human group display so can't be generalised to humans with confidence

6. Evolutionary Theory also explains group displays at sporting events as

   • a Ritualised Symbolic Way of Showing Dominance to Avoid Injuries >Therefore it is an adaptive behaviour
     • E,g at sporting events, aggressive shouting and ritualistic stances rarely ever develop into full blown aggression.

7. Marsh(1982) found that much aggresson between Rival sport fans involves RITUALISED GROUP DISPLAYS such as Posturing and Verbal Aggression, but rarely physical aggression.

   • suggests these group displays a Symbolic Way of showing strength and dominance without injuries therefore can be considered an adaptive behaviour supporting the Evolutionary Explanation.
     • Marsh argues that ritualised group displays develop into violence at sporting events as a result of Over Control by police who break the group's normal Rituals.
       • This suggests that group displays are adaptive behaviour yet can develop into Maladaptive behaiour because of Police Intevention

8. However Saks+Krupat (1988) argue Obvious exceptions and sometimes rather than Adaptive Ritualised Group Behaviour rival sportfans are Physically Aggressive and Cause Serious Physical Injury- clearly NOT an adaptive behaviour.

   • Finding supported by LeBons (!985) Contagion Theory (weakens Evol)
     • that crowds have a HYPNOTIC INFLUENCE in which indivs Lose Their Identities and develop a Collective mind, resulting in primitive aggressive+destructive behaviour
       • which contradicts evolutionary explanations og aggression because it is obviously not adaptive behaviour which Increases reproductive success
         • However, some psychs may argue back and talk about how it is aggression - competing with others and in evolutionary terms- survial of the fittest- there may be competition between 2 groups and so a fight for status and resources as suggested by Buss(2011) above.

9. Research provides in depth understanding into an applied area of psychology by providing eidence and guidance about crowd control at sports events

10. Practical applications- provides obvious benefits by reducing violence at sporting events and might be generalised to other events where evolved aggressive group display are likely e.g demonstrations.

    • By understanding how group display can result in violence might help develop strategies to prevent such violence e.g evol. expls. contribute to our understanding of warfare and football violence.

11. Buss(2011) analysed available data and concluded ritualised group displays are evident at Sporting events across all Cultures, therefore aggressive group display is UNIVERSAL BEHAVIOUR which he claims is based on what was adaptive in our ancestral past.

    • shows cultural relativism and so the research and evolutionary explanation are widely accepted and has cultural validity.

12. Reductionist- fail to offer complex expl. for group displays of aggression- entirely down to genetic measures(nature) and completes avoids role of nurture-the expl.

13. One problem with this explanation is that it is a "PostHoc" theory

    • Explains aggressive behaviour after it has happened rather than making predictions about what is going to happen and then testing it
      • Evolutionary theory suggests that certain behaviours we demonstrate today make reproduction more likely and that genes associated with that behaviour is passed down through generations.
        • Argue This isn't testable as you would have to isolate a group of humans from all other influences for many years to see if particular genes persist in the population.