The Ethological Explanation of AggressionFlashcards - AQA Psychology

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Define Ethology.

Ethology is the scientific study of animal behaviour in a natural environment, viewing behaviour as an evolutionarily adaptive trait.

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"Define Ethology."	"Ethology is the scientific study of animal behaviour in a natural environment, viewing behaviour as an evolutionarily adaptive trait."
"What is the adaptive function of aggression according to Ethology?"	"Aggression is an instinct that is innate and genetically determined. It is adaptive because it helps in the survival of a species by spreading out the species over a larger area and reducing competition for resources. It is also used to establish dominance hierarchies."
"Describe ritualistic aggression."	"Ritualistic aggression involves animals spending time on 'signals' such as facial expressions rather than engaging in physical fighting. Defeated animals show signs of 'appeasement' and are usually not killed. These behaviours are adaptive as they prevent the reduction of population numbers."
"What are innate releasing mechanisms and fixed action patterns?"	"An innate releasing mechanism (IRM) is an inbuilt physiological process triggered by an external stimulus. The IRM releases a specific sequence of behaviours called a fixed action pattern, which is an unchanging sequence of behaviour, the same for every animal of that species, unaffected by learning, cannot be altered before completion, and only occurs in a specific situation in response to a specific stimulus."
"What did Tinbergen's 1951 study on sticklebacks reveal?"	"Tinbergen found that male sticklebacks would aggressively display and attack a model if there was a red area underneath it, even if it looked nothing like a fish. They did not attack stickleback-shaped models if there was no red underbelly."
"What evidence supports the ethological explanation of aggression?"	"Research support into the role of the limbic system in triggering aggression supports the suggestion that aggression may be a primitive, innate instinct which is therefore adaptive."
"Describe the observations made by Goodall (2010) during the 'four-year war' at a national park in Tanzania."	"Goodall observed violent, aggressive acts by chimpanzees towards each other, even when the opponent showed clear signals of defeat."
"Define the term 'Adaptive' in the context of evolutionary explanations of human aggression."	"Adaptive refers to behaviours and physical characteristics that are useful to the survival of a species. Organisms with certain physical or psychological traits are more likely to be reproductively successful."
"What is the Environment of Evolutionary Adaptation (EEA)?"	"The EEA is the time when a species first emerged as a distinct species from its ancestor. The physical and behavioural characteristics of a species will be suited to the EEA. For humans, this was over 10,000 years ago when they were hunter-gatherers on the African savannah."
"Explain the concept of 'Genome lag'."	"Genome lag is the idea that some behaviour is no longer adaptive because genetic changes over thousands of generations have proceeded much slower than changes in our environment. Behaviours which were useful to survival in the EEA are still present today."
"How do Daly and Wilson (1988) explain the evolutionary explanation of jealousy?"	"Daly and Wilson claim that men have evolved several different strategies to deter their female partners from committing adultery. These range from vigilance to violence, all fuelled by male sexual jealousy. Sexual jealousy and aggression arising from it is therefore an evolved mechanism to prevent a mate from sexual infidelity and cuckoldry."
"What are the mate retention strategies suggested by Daly and Wilson?"	"Daly and Wilson suggest that males have a number of mate retention strategies that have evolved specifically for the purpose of keeping a mate. They can be categorised as direct guarding (restricting a partner’s autonomy; a form of passive aggression), and negative inducements (violence or threats of violence to prevent straying)."
"Describe the findings of Camilleri's 2004 study on sexual assault and perceived risk of infidelity."	"Camilleri (2004) found that sexual assault of a female by her male partner was directly linked with the perceived risk of her infidelity."
"Explain the link between sexual jealousy and aggression as found in the study by Shackelford et al (2005)."	"Shackelford et al (2005) found a strong positive correlation between the male’s score on the Mate Retention Inventory and the female’s score on the Spouse Influence Report, suggesting a link between sexual jealousy and aggression."
"Define the evolutionary explanation of bullying."	"The evolutionary explanation of bullying argues that characteristics of bullying behaviour in males are attractive to the opposite sex, as it suggests the ability to dominate, move up a social hierarchy, and accrue resources. In females, bullying more often takes place within a relationship, having the function of controlling the male partner and ensuring he continues to provide resources."
"How does the evolutionary approach explain gender differences in aggression?"	"The evolutionary approach explains gender differences in aggression by suggesting that women are less physically aggressive than men, as physical aggression would have been far costlier for the female in the EEA (as they would be raising children, whose survival would also be put at risk). Those females who used different strategies to resolve conflicts would be at a survival advantage."
"Do evolutionary explanations provide any real-world applications for tackling bullying behaviour?"	"Yes, evolutionary explanations suggest that bullying behaviour can be tackled by increasing the costs of bullying and rewarding alternative pro-social behaviour, therefore reducing the rewards gained from bullying."
"What is the Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis?"	"The Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis is a social psychological explanation that attempts to explain people’s experience of aggression, and the events which may trigger it."
"Describe the frustration-aggression theory proposed by Dollard (1939)."	"The frustration-aggression theory suggests that frustration always leads to aggression, and aggression is always the result of frustration. Frustration refers to the blocking of a goal you want to achieve, which creates an aggressive drive. This must be released by an aggressive act, or a violent fantasy. In doing this, the aggressive drive is satisfied and so reduced."
"What is displaced aggression according to the frustration-aggression theory?"	"Displaced aggression refers to the act of directing aggression not towards the source of frustration, but towards a weaker, available alternative. This can occur when the source of frustration is too powerful, not present, or is an abstract cause."
"How does the presence of environmental cues relate to aggression according to Berkowitz and LePage (1967)?"	"Berkowitz and LePage found that environmental cues, such as the presence of a weapon, created a readiness for aggression. Participants gave stronger shocks to a confederate when a gun was on the table next to the shock machine, suggesting that the aggressive drive can be triggered by something in the environment."
"What does the research by Marcus-Newhall et al (2000) suggest about displaced aggression?"	"Marcus-Newhall et al found that participants who were provoked but could not retaliate against the source of frustration were much more likely to aggress against an innocent party than people not provoked. This supports the theory of displaced aggression."
"How does the study by Bushman (2002) challenge the frustration-aggression theory?"	"Bushman found that participants who hit a punchbag became more angry and aggressive than those that sat and did nothing. This challenges the frustration-aggression theory because it suggests that venting aggression does not reduce the aggressive drive."
"How does Berkowitz's research weaken the original frustration-aggression hypothesis?"	"Berkowitz found that frustration is only one source of aggression, which is triggered by negative feelings generally. This weakens the original hypothesis because the suggestion that only frustration results in aggression is over-simplistic."

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Define Ethology.

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Ethology is the scientific study of animal behaviour in a natural environment, viewing behaviour as an evolutionarily adaptive trait.

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Over generations, these advantageous traits become more prevalent in the population, influencing human behavior.","deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592715,"front":"What is the Environment of Evolutionary Adaptation (EEA)?","back":"The EEA is the time when a species first emerged as a distinct species from its ancestor. The physical and behavioural characteristics of a species will be suited to the EEA. 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Sexual jealousy and aggression arising from it is therefore an evolved mechanism to prevent a mate from sexual infidelity and cuckoldry.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592726,"front":"What are the mate retention strategies suggested by Daly and Wilson?","back":"Daly and Wilson suggest that males have a number of mate retention strategies that have evolved specifically for the purpose of keeping a mate. They can be categorised as direct guarding (restricting a partner’s autonomy; a form of passive aggression), and negative inducements (violence or threats of violence to prevent straying).","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592727,"front":"Describe the findings of Camilleri's 2004 study on sexual assault and perceived risk of infidelity.","back":"Camilleri (2004) found that sexual assault of a female by her male partner was directly linked with the perceived risk of her infidelity.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592728,"front":"Explain the link between sexual jealousy and aggression as found in the study by Shackelford et al (2005).","back":"Shackelford et al (2005) found a strong positive correlation between the male’s score on the Mate Retention Inventory and the female’s score on the Spouse Influence Report, suggesting a link between sexual jealousy and aggression.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592734,"front":"Define the evolutionary explanation of bullying.","back":"The evolutionary explanation of bullying argues that characteristics of bullying behaviour in males are attractive to the opposite sex, as it suggests the ability to dominate, move up a social hierarchy, and accrue resources. In females, bullying more often takes place within a relationship, having the function of controlling the male partner and ensuring he continues to provide resources.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592744,"front":"How does the evolutionary approach explain gender differences in aggression?","back":"The evolutionary approach explains gender differences in aggression by suggesting that women are less physically aggressive than men, as physical aggression would have been far costlier for the female in the EEA (as they would be raising children, whose survival would also be put at risk). Those females who used different strategies to resolve conflicts would be at a survival advantage.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592748,"front":"Do evolutionary explanations provide any real-world applications for tackling bullying behaviour?","back":"Yes, evolutionary explanations suggest that bullying behaviour can be tackled by increasing the costs of bullying and rewarding alternative pro-social behaviour, therefore reducing the rewards gained from bullying.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592755,"front":"What is the Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis?","back":"The Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis is a social psychological explanation that attempts to explain people’s experience of aggression, and the events which may trigger it.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592776,"front":"Describe the frustration-aggression theory proposed by Dollard (1939).","back":"The frustration-aggression theory suggests that frustration always leads to aggression, and aggression is always the result of frustration. Frustration refers to the blocking of a goal you want to achieve, which creates an aggressive drive. This must be released by an aggressive act, or a violent fantasy. In doing this, the aggressive drive is satisfied and so reduced.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592785,"front":"What is displaced aggression according to the frustration-aggression theory?","back":"Displaced aggression refers to the act of directing aggression not towards the source of frustration, but towards a weaker, available alternative. This can occur when the source of frustration is too powerful, not present, or is an abstract cause.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592793,"front":"How does the presence of environmental cues relate to aggression according to Berkowitz and LePage (1967)?","back":"Berkowitz and LePage found that environmental cues, such as the presence of a weapon, created a readiness for aggression. Participants gave stronger shocks to a confederate when a gun was on the table next to the shock machine, suggesting that the aggressive drive can be triggered by something in the environment.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592799,"front":"What does the research by Marcus-Newhall et al (2000) suggest about displaced aggression?","back":"Marcus-Newhall et al found that participants who were provoked but could not retaliate against the source of frustration were much more likely to aggress against an innocent party than people not provoked. This supports the theory of displaced aggression.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592811,"front":"How does the study by Bushman (2002) challenge the frustration-aggression theory?","back":"Bushman found that participants who hit a punchbag became more angry and aggressive than those that sat and did nothing. This challenges the frustration-aggression theory because it suggests that venting aggression does not reduce the aggressive drive.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}},{"id":1592826,"front":"How does Berkowitz's research weaken the original frustration-aggression hypothesis?","back":"Berkowitz found that frustration is only one source of aggression, which is triggered by negative feelings generally. This weakens the original hypothesis because the suggestion that only frustration results in aggression is over-simplistic.","front_language":"English","back_language":"English","front_image":"","back_image":"","order":0,"explanation":null,"deleted_at":null,"flashcard_deck_id":"jtFwg","original_id":null,"examMode":{"text":"","correct":"","incorrect":"","info":""}}]

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