Evolution and Aggression

• Evolutionary theory as an explanation for aggression

  In the evolutionary past males were bigger and stronger and so would be more capable of providing food and protecting mates and offspring. Males who were naturally more aggressive were more capable of fighting to protect their family and hunting so therefore had an adaptive advantage. Therefore many females chose males who had these genes therefore males with these traits would be more successful would also be passed onto their offspring. Therefore competition for mates has driven masculine aggression and can cause sexual jealousy
• Daly & Wilson (1988)

  Men have evolved different mate retention strategies to deter their partners from committing adultery, ranging from vigilance to violence. All of these are the result of male jealousy and paternal uncertainty (being unable to be certain he is the father of her children).

  If a man’s partner is unfaithful and has a relationship with another man, he runs the risk of cuckoldry (that he may unwittingly invest resources in rearing children that are not his own). Male sexual jealousy may therefore have evolved to prevent infidelity by women and reduce the risk of cuckoldry