EVOLUTION/AGGRESSION DARWIN

Darwin natural selection survival of the fittest..

Genetic drift- organism inherits 50% genetic info from each biological parent so not al genes are passed on and genes can drift in and out of the gene pool.

Genetic mutation - permanent change in the gene sequence eg due to virus. Some may be advantageous which are then passed down through generations to improve species survival

Heritable traits - certain characteristics aren’t set eg height from parents but also affected by nurture factors like nutrition.

Sexual selection- peacock tail attracts mates and improves sexual reproduction keeping a species alive.

Kin selection- drawing predators away by giving warning calls whilst putting themselves in danger - altruism eg meerkats

Group selection - by protecting the group individuals within it will benefit as they cannot survive alone. Labour is divided between members Eg bees have a queen bee

AGGRESSION AND EVOLUTION -

Aggression is a protective trait humans have evolved to naturally display to protect survival

Jealousy and resulting aggression especially in males can be seen as an evolved trait as they must reproduce with a female

Guarding offspring using aggression from predators etc

ENVIRONMENT OF EVOLUTIONARY ADAPTATION EEA-

When foraging for food etc …

Women- verbal aggression

Men- physical aggression

EVALUATION OF NATURAL SELECTION AND EVOLUTION / IN TERMS OF AGGRESSION

+ Buss and Shackleton support for survival oof the fittest passing on the best genes to offspring- they say males will threaten other males by aggression to protect their genetic reproduction by ensuring they have the female alone. This is support for natural selection and aggression aiding a species survival

- in order to protect the offspring a parent may put themselves in a dangerous situation which may result in their death. Therefore genetic continuation may cease which goes against evolutionary principles of aiding survival

+genetic adaptation involves maintaining the genes needed for environment in order to survive and removing genes which aren’t needed. Darwins observations of the Gallapicus Island Finches showed that overtime their beaks became stronger to eat the new nuts on the new island. So they became genetically modified etc to aid the species survival.

- suggests gene selection occurs to preserve young and ensure reproduction and survival can continue. However this isn’t the only explanation of aggression - social learning theory says that we imitate other peoples behaviour so nurture factors must also be considered to make this a holistic explanation.

+ dobash and dobash found when studying violence against women it often came out through jealousy.sexual jealousy was found to lead to aggression so aggression ensures survival of genes through reproduction.