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
Group Displays of Aggression
Warfare: Exists among many modern-day tribal societies (e.g. Yanomamo).
Allows groups to win competition of scarce resources & pass on genes.
Gives one group status over another – access to land, resources & women.
Sports events: Aggression symbolic. Benefits of winning allow high status
& access to desirable mates for competitors and fans. Xenophobia –
irrational fear of something foreign. Natural selection favoured genes
which cause humans to be altruistic towards members of their own group,
intolerant to outsiders.
Religious rituals: Aggression towards self. Cost signalling theory – inherent
costs of religious rituals contribute towards its success. Deter those who
don’t truly believe but want benefits. Improves longitivity of religion.
AO2 – Warfare
Chagnon: Yanomamo: war-like & always fighting to gain women and status.
Warfare adaptive – win competition for scarce resources to survive and pass on
genes.
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
Group Displays of Aggression
Warfare: Exists among many modern-day tribal societies (e.g. Yanomamo).
Allows groups to win competition of scarce resources & pass on genes.
Gives one group status over another – access to land, resources & women.
Sports events: Aggression symbolic. Benefits of winning allow high status
& access to desirable mates for competitors and fans. Xenophobia –
irrational fear of something foreign. Natural selection favoured genes
which cause humans to be altruistic towards members of their own group,
intolerant to outsiders.
Religious rituals: Aggression towards self. Cost signalling theory – inherent
costs of religious rituals contribute towards its success. Deter those who
don’t truly believe but want benefits. Improves longitivity of religion.
AO2 – Warfare
Chagnon: Yanomamo: war-like & always fighting to gain women and status.
Warfare adaptive – win competition for scarce resources to survive and pass on
genes.
