Ethology - the study of animalbehaviour in naturalsettings
Ethologists study aggression in animals and link it to humans, eg. evolution theory, and assumes aggression is instinctually occurring in all species and is genetically determined
Innate Releasing Mechanisms (IRM) - a built in physiological process or structure triggered by an environmental stimulus which 'releases' a fixed action pattern
Fixed Action Patterns (FAP) - innate behaviours that are unlearned and automatic responses to IRMs
Ritualistic Aggression - Animals may perform ritualistic displays to show submission or resolve conflict, reducing the risk of harm and increasing chances of survival.
Hydraulic Pump model:
Each FAP has a reservoir of energy - hydraulic fluid
as it builds, it places pressure on the piston alongside external factors(IRM)
FAP is triggered once pressure is large enough, however can be spontaneous with enough pressure
Cuckoldry - a sexual act where a female in a pair bond mates with another male
Direct Guarding - a partner's behaviour of being overly vigilant over their other partner's actions eg. checking phone
Negative inducements - letting their partner know the potential consequences for leaving the relationship
Maleretention strategies to try and prevent cuckoldry:
Negativeinducement
Directguarding
evolutionary theory states that males compete for females:
materetention strategies
Women seek traits that indicate resources, protection and long term support for offspring
Men seek traits that indicate fertility, youth, maximising their chance of passing on genes