The Ethological & Evolutionary Explanations of Aggression (AQA A Level Psychology): Exam Questions

Jane is talking about her husband to a friend.

Jane says, “Bill gets angry if I text any of my male friends. He’s always looking at my mobile phone. He gets upset if I want to go out with friends and insists on coming along too. I suppose it is nice in a way because he is so strong and protective.”

Use your knowledge of evolutionary explanations of aggression to explain Jane’s comments.

News correspondents in inner cities have remarked upon how young males frequently carry weapons and engage in threatening behaviour.

Using your knowledge of evolutionary explanations of aggression, account for these high levels of aggression in young males.

Outline one strength and one limitation of evolutionary explanations of aggression.

Researchers observed two brightly coloured male Siamese fighting fish. The fish were in separate tanks with a sliding screen between the tanks so the fish could not see each other.

When the slide screen was raised so that the fish could see each other, they both reacted by puffing themselves up to appear larger. The fish also puffed themselves up when a small, brightly coloured piece of card was displayed alongside the tank.

Describe what is meant by a fixed action pattern. Refer to the study above in your answer.

Describe and evaluate evolutionary explanations for human aggression.