Ethological Explanation of Aggression

• What is ethology?+ what do we extrapolate to humans

  Ethology is the study of animals in their natural habitats.

  
  

  Findings are extrapolated in terms of their rituals, characteristics and behaviours
• How does Darwin's theory relate to ethology?

  According to Darwin, humans are subject to the same forces of natural selection as animals.
• What does Lorenz believe about aggression?

  Lorenz believes aggression is innate and adaptive for survival and reproduction.
• What is the purpose of aggression according to Lorenz?

  Aggression is used to gain dominance and reduce competition.
• What is the purpose of ritualistic aggression and threat displays?

  Ritualistic aggression shows 'who's boss' and prevents competitors from encroaching upon claimed territory
• Why is ritualistic aggression considered adaptive?

  It prevents killing competitors, which would be disadvantageous for the species.
• What are appeasement displays?

  Appeasement displays are signals from the weaker competitor to show they are no longer a threat.
• What limitation does Goodall's research present to Lorenz's theory?

  Goodall found that some male chimps killed competitors despite showing appeasement displays.
• What are Innate Releasing Mechanisms (IRM's)?

  IRM's are built-in physiological structures that trigger specific behaviors in response to stimuli.
• What is a fixed action pattern (FAP)?

  A fixed action pattern is a sequence of behaviors triggered by an environmental stimulus.
• What did Lea et al conclude about fixed action patterns?

  Lea et al concluded that FAPs are stereotypical, universal, and ballistic.
• What evidence did Tinbergen provide for IRM's and FAP's?

  Tinbergen used male stickleback fish to show that they respond to a red underbelly stimulus with a specific behavior sequence.
• What does the term "ballistic" refer to in the context of FAPs?

  Ballistic means the behavior pattern must run its full course to completion.
• What cross-cultural variation did Nisbet identify regarding aggression?

  Nisbet identified a North-South divide in America in terms of homicide rates.
• What question does Nisbet's finding raise about the ethological explanation of aggression?

  It questions the ability to generalize findings of the ethological explanation across cultures.
• Why is it difficult to generalize animal behaviors to humans?

  Humans have a more complex cerebral cortex involved in decision making processes.
• How do social structures and legislation affect human aggression?

  Social structures and legislation can inhibit aggressive behavior due to potential repercussions.
• What does the ethological explanation of aggression suggest about human behavior?

  The ethological explanation suggests that human behavior is influenced by the same natural selection forces as animals.
• What conflicting evidence challenges the ethological explanation of aggression in humans?

  Conflicting evidence from human studies questions the validity of the ethological explanation in explaining human behavior.
• What do we extrapolate from animals to humans

  Findings in terms of their rituals, characteristics and behaviours
• What are the two types of IRM's

  conspecific: signalled to members of the same species

  allospecific: signalled to members of different species
• What are the characteristics of FAP's (SUSRUB)

  1. Single Purpose
  2. Universal
  3. Stereotypical
  4. Response to specific stimulus
  5. Unaffected by learning
  6. Ballistic