Evolutionary Explanations of Aggression

Evolutionary Explanations of Aggression

1. AO1 Jealousy

   • Human brain has been shaped by natural and sexual selection
     • Natural: enabled ancesters to have selective advantage, increased chances of survival, ability to reproduce and pass on genes
     • Sexual: competition for mates and development of characteristics that ensure reproductive success
     • Male sexual jealousy is the result of natural and sexual selection
       • Frequently cited cause of violence and aggression
   • Males have developed many strategies to deter partner from adultery
     • Men are at risk of cuckoldry because of parental uncertainty
     • Jealousy is adaptive and evolved to prevent infidelity and minimise risk of cuckoldry

2. AO2 Jealousy

   • Miller
     • 55% of women in a hostel for 'battered wives' said jealousy was main reason for partner's violence
   • Dobash and Dobash
     • Victims of domestic violence cited extreme jealousy as key cause
   • Grisvevicus
     • Males exhibit more direct physical abuse whereas women exhibit more indirect aggression
       • Adaptive, consistent with EEA; females stay out of harm's way
     • Evidence for sex differences in aggression

3. AO1 Infidelity

   • Male retention strategies
     • Force himself on partner against will (sexual coercion or rape)
     • Assault wife who has become pregnant by another man (forced termination)
     • Murdering wife

4. AO2 Infidelity

   • Not all men act the same
     • Evolutionary approach is deterministic
   • Solely down to genes and evolved responses
     • Reductionist
   • Solely focused on MALE retention strategies
     • Archer
       • Women carry out physical assaults on partners just as often as men do
       • Gender bias