Evolutionary theories of aggression on an individual level
Introduction
Aggressive behaviour something we’re programmed to do due to
evolution.
AO1
Evolutionary
Adaptive for ancestors in EEA (environment of evolutionary
adaptation)
Allowed them to survive and reproduce – pass on adaptive genes
Natural selection/survival of the fittest. Only ones best adapted to
environment pass on genes
Domestic Violence
Use of violence adaptive for male perpetrator. More likely to reproduce
and pass on genes. Main goal in life.
Main reason = paternal uncertainty. Men worried about wife’s
infidelity. Want to avoid cuckoldry & wasting resources on child that
doesn’t possess their genes.
Male sexual jealously fuels mate retention strategies (MRS). Prevent
cuckoldry. E.g. vigilance and direct guarding. Positive/negative
inducements. Make it so wife passes on his genes. Adaptive.
AO2
Wilson: Women who ticked questionnaire items indicating partners carried
out MRS twice as likely to have experienced serious violence.
Dobash & Dobash: Men’s extreme jealously key cause for domestic
violence.
Studies suggest link between male sexual jealousy and aggression.
Introduction
Aggressive behaviour something we’re programmed to do due to
evolution.
AO1
Evolutionary
Adaptive for ancestors in EEA (environment of evolutionary
adaptation)
Allowed them to survive and reproduce – pass on adaptive genes
Natural selection/survival of the fittest. Only ones best adapted to
environment pass on genes
Domestic Violence
Use of violence adaptive for male perpetrator. More likely to reproduce
and pass on genes. Main goal in life.
Main reason = paternal uncertainty. Men worried about wife’s
infidelity. Want to avoid cuckoldry & wasting resources on child that
doesn’t possess their genes.
Male sexual jealously fuels mate retention strategies (MRS). Prevent
cuckoldry. E.g. vigilance and direct guarding. Positive/negative
inducements. Make it so wife passes on his genes. Adaptive.
AO2
Wilson: Women who ticked questionnaire items indicating partners carried
out MRS twice as likely to have experienced serious violence.
Dobash & Dobash: Men’s extreme jealously key cause for domestic
violence.
Studies suggest link between male sexual jealousy and aggression.
