Ethology & Evolution

• What is the ethological explanation

  Study of animal behaviour (including humans) by studying them in their natural environment.
• What does the ethological explanation propose?

  The theory is ritualistic

  Proposes that all members of one species will respond with same set of behaviours to threat. These behaviours are innate - don't require learning

  e.g. showing teeth or growling
• Aggression is seen as providing an adaptive function by ethologists.

  ---> can help survival and protection of resources
• Innate releasing mechanisms + Fixed Action Patterns

  ---> structure in brain that's triggered by stimulus

  • They are a set of inherited neural circuits in brain that attempt to prevent the release of aggressive behaviours that build up
  • Supported by Lorenz

  Fixed action pattern =animal does predictable aggression behaviour, these are automatic actions that occur across a species
• Key study - need to know / strength of explanation

  Tinbergen - male sticklebacks get red spot on belly in mating season

  Fish were presented with realistic models of other sticklebacks but with no red spot and some unrealistic wooden models with red spot

  • Found male sticklebacks only attached to wooden model with spot

  Suggests that they have innate releasing mechanism for aggression, triggered by red spots on others resulting in fixed action pattern
• Limitation of ethological explanation

  Reductionist

  Focuses heavily on innate biological mechanisms. Ignores environment and past learning that can play a role

  • e.g. kids grown up in abusive house are seen as more prone to aggression - not solely explained by innate releasing mechanisms

  Human aggression is not just automatic
• Limitation of ethological explanation


  Limited generalisability

  Most evidence is based on animal research especially geese & fish

  Human aggression isn't 100% similar as animal aggression

  • e.g. individual differences

  Animal studies cannot account for this
• What does the evolutionary explanation propose?

  Aggression serves as important function for individuals survival and reproductive success

  
  

  Aggression is seen as adaptive function to help solve problems e.g. lack of resources
• Mutations

  Genes can mutate, which can lead to increased aggressive behaviours.

  Increased reproductive success leads to mutated genes that promote aggression - survival of the fittest
• Sexual competition 


  Physical aggression allows elimination of rival males, these individuals are then more likely to attract females ---> pass on genes
• Sexual jealousy


  Males cannot be sure of paternity but females can be sure of maternity as they physically give birth.

  ---> men are more at risk of raising child that's not their own

  High aggression level = attempt to ensure certainty

  
  

  Male uses retention strategies e.g. guarding (limiting partners movement) and threats.
• Strength of evolutionary explanation

  Empirical Support

  
  

  Daly and Wilson - significant number of homicides were more likely involving suspected or actual infidelity

  
  

  Supports idea that aggression has an evolved as an adaptive response to threats to reproductive success in this case guarding. This highlights male sexual jealousy

  
  

  Gives theory real world applicability
• Limitation of evolutionary explanation to oppose strength

  Evidence often reductionist

  Tends to oversimplify human aggression by focusing too heavily on biological instincts

  Neglects social or environmental factors

  • e.g. aggression in modern society is often influenced by factors such as stress
• Limitation of evolutionary explanation

  Deterministic

  It implies aggression is an innate,

  Overlooking the role of free will and individual choice

  Theory downplays complexity of human aggression which is influenced by both biological and social factors
• Limitation of evolutionary explanation

  Methodological issues

  Most research is correlational, its difficult to test hypotheses about evolution. Meaning cause and effect cannot be established

  
  

  + most evidence such as Shackleford use self report methods which can lack internal validity - answers subject to social desirability