PMT
Psychology Factsheets
[Link] Number 140
Evolutionary theories of human aggression
This Factsheet focuses on evolutionary theories of human You could also mention the following provided that you clearly
aggression, explaining what can be included in an exam answer on show how the information is relevant to the exam question:
this topic and how to avoid common mistakes as reported by the • The role of genetics, neurons and hormones in aggression,
examiners. Words in bold are explained in the glossary and the provided it is made clear how this relates to evolutionary
worksheet provides an opportunity to practice what you have theories.
learned. • Gender differences in the amount and types of aggression,
provided it is clear how these differences relate to the points
• Evolutionary theories of human behaviour take the general view made by the evolutionary theories.
that behaviours (including cognitive processes) which give a • Theories/evidence based on non-human animal behaviour,
person an advantage and help them to function well in their provided it is clear how it is relevant to humans.
environment (physical and social) will be passed on to future
generations through their genes. Exam Hint:- A common mistake in exam answers is to give an
account of mate retention strategies without showing how the
A. What could you be asked in the exam? information relates to aggression.
• To describe/outline evolutionary theories of aggression.
o For this type of question, you can state various theories Exam Hint:- The examiners comment that the role of jealousy
in male aggression is mentioned but many answers do not
and describe research evidence.
gain marks as they fail to clearly link jealousy and paternal
• To evaluate evolutionary theories of aggression.
uncertainty to aggression.
o For this type of question, you can consider the strengths
and weaknesses of the theories and/or research evidence,
as well as considering various issues, debates and alternative Exam Hint:- Do your revision! The examiners state that some
approaches in psychology. candidates know very little about evolutionary explanations so
• To discuss evolutionary theories of aggression. discuss social psychological theories (e.g., social learning,
o For this type of question, you need to both describe and deindividuation) instead which gains no marks.
evaluate the theories.
The type of information which you can include is described in Summaries of evolutionary theories of human
section B. aggression.
• Aggression arises from sexual competition: males compete
Exam Hint:- Answers for this topic must focus on evolutionary with other males for females; males show aggression to ensure
explanations of aggression. They should not focus on social or success in reproduction.
genetic explanations (unless you can show explicitly how the • Aggression is used to protect the in-group against out-
information relates to question, such as using them as an groups: humans live in groups which may lead to aggression
alternative approach to evaluate the evolutionary towards other groups in order to define boundaries and
explanations). The examiners state that writing about theories protect resources.
that are not evolutionary, such as social learning theory or
• Infidelity and sexual jealousy in aggression: infidelity is
deindividuation, will not gain any marks.
perceived as a threat and may lead to aggression as a way of
reducing the threat; sexual jealousy arises from a desire to
Exam Hint:- Make sure that you focus on evolutionary theories keep a sexual partner and can lead to mate ‘guarding’ activities
of human aggression and not on evolutionary explanations of including aggression.
group display in humans, such as sport and warfare.
B2. To evaluate evolutionary theories of human aggression, you
B. What information could you use in the exam? could:
B1. To outline evolutionary theories of human aggression, you • Use research studies to support/oppose the theories.
could: • Consider whether it is appropriate to generalise findings and
• State that the evolutionary approach usually views aggression explanations from non-human animal behaviour to human
as being related to increasing the chances of survival, behaviour.
reproduction and survival of genes. • Use alternative explanations, such as biological factors or social
• Outline the theory that aggression arises from sexual psychological approaches, as comparisons to the evolutionary
competition. theories.
• Outline the theory that aggression is used to protect the in- • Consider the strengths and weaknesses of the evolutionary
group against out-groups. approach to understanding human behaviour in general. For
• Outline the role of infidelity and sexual jealousy in aggression. example, discussing the role of environmental factors as well as
(See text box for summaries of these theories). genetic factors in human behaviour.
• Mention issues, debates and approaches, showing how they
are relevant to the question (see text box).
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PMT
140 - Evolutionary theories of human aggression Psychology Factsheet
Issues, debates and approaches.
Some relevant issues/debates/approaches are:
~ As the evolutionary approach proposes that behaviours are passed on genetically, it is positioned on the nature side of the nature-
nurture debate.
~ Evolutionary theories are criticised for being deterministic and reductionist.
~ The differences in male and female behaviour are generally considered in the evolutionary approach so there is not necessarily a
bias to one gender.
Exam Hint:- Good answers use relevant issues, debates and approaches, showing understanding and how they relate to the topic.
Exam Hint:- Weak answers only provide a list of issues, debates and approaches with no explanation and often showing no
understanding of how they are relevant to the topic. The same list is used indiscriminately for other answers as well.
Glossary
Deterministic: the view that behaviour is caused by preceding factors (as opposed to free will).
In-group: the group to which a person belongs.
Out-group: the group to which a person does not belong.
Reductionist: explaining a phenomena or behaviour by analysing its basic parts
: A display of aggression in a non-human animal
Aggression in humans
Acknowledgements: This Psychology Factsheet was researched and written by Amanda Albon.
The Curriculum Press, Bank House, 105 King Street, Wellington, Shropshire, TF1 1NU.
Can all types of aggression be explained in evolutionary Psychology Factsheets may be copied free of charge by teaching staff or students, provided
that their school is a registered subscriber. No part of these Factsheets may be reproduced,
terms? stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any other form or by any other means, without
the prior permission of the publisher. ISSN 1351-5136
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PMT
140 - Evolutionary theories of human aggression Psychology Factsheet
Worksheet: Evolutionary theories of human aggression
Name
1. Outline one evolutionary theory of human aggression.
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2. Evaluate this theory from an alternative psychological approach.
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3. Give two points of evaluation for evolutionary theories of human aggression.
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4. Discuss one issue, showing how it relates to evolutionary theories of human aggression.
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5. Discuss one debate, showing how it relates to evolutionary theories of human aggression.
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