Getting you prepared: List as many behaviours as you can that you think the evolutionary approach can explain. Extension: What behaviours do you think the approach cannot explain?

Evolutionary explanations of human aggression, including infidelity and jealousy

Learning objectives : By the end of this lesson you will be able: To describe how evolution can explain aggression in humans. To apply evolutionary explanations of aggression to infidelity and jealousy.

Putting evolution into perspective It is important to remember that humans are very recent in terms of evolution… 4.5 billion years ago earth was created. 3.5 billion years ago the first bacteria. 1 billion years ago first multi-cellular organisms such as algae, seaweeds and worms. 500 million years ago the first fish 450 million years ago the first land plants. 4.5 billion years ago earth was created. 3.5 billion years ago the first bacteria. 1 billion years ago first multi-cellular organisms such as algae, seaweeds and worms. 500 million years ago the first fish 450 million years ago the first land plants.

Evolution 390 million years ago first amphibians and reptiles. 220 million years ago dinosaurs evolve. 200 million years ago first mammals and birds. 3.5 million years ago the first hominids called Australopithecus afarensis were thought to live in East Africa 1.5 million years ago a new hominid appeared in East Africa which could be truly recognised as human. 390 million years ago first amphibians and reptiles. 220 million years ago dinosaurs evolve. 200 million years ago first mammals and birds. 3.5 million years ago the first hominids called Australopithecus afarensis were thought to live in East Africa 1.5 million years ago a new hominid appeared in East Africa which could be truly recognised as human.

Evolution Watch the You Tube clip (10 minutes). Using this footage and what you already know about evolution and psychology, discuss the following, add key points into your notes (AO1): 1)How might aggression serve as an evolutionary advantage? 2)How might it aid natural selection? 3)How might it aid sexual selection? 4)How can the evolutionary approach explain infidelity and jealousy? Extension: How would evolutionary Psychologists gather their data?

Gender differences Men – physical aggression - have to compete with other men to gain access to women, and therefore need to be more assertive and aggressive to show they are a provider of valuable resources. Women – verbal aggression - Buss (1999) suggests that this is often aimed at reducing the attractiveness of a female competitor in the eyes of males. Put this in your notes

Infidelity Read page 141 and make AO1 notes on infidelity and aggression. Include at least two examples of theories or research (AO1). Make it clear in your notes how the aggression has an evolutionary advantage. Link it to either natural or sexual selection. Extension: Can you think of any other reasons as to why aggression over infidelity can have an evolutionary advantage?

Mate retention strategies Mate retention strategies are used to deter their mate from either leaving them or committing adultery. Retaining a mate is important as a mate is required in order to bear and raise children. Male aggression against females is designed to deter the female from indulging in behaviour that is not in the interests of the male. Mate retention strategies are used to deter their mate from either leaving them or committing adultery. Retaining a mate is important as a mate is required in order to bear and raise children. Male aggression against females is designed to deter the female from indulging in behaviour that is not in the interests of the male. Put this in your notes Discuss examples of what these mate retention strategies may be.

Mate retention strategies Look at the example of the Mate Retention Inventory and 1)Choose 3 examples to put into your notes to demonstrate retention techniques. 2)Make it clear how these link to infidelity and aggression from an evolutionary view point. Extension: How valid do you think the inventory is as a measurement tool?

Jealousy Read pages and make AO1 notes on jealousy and aggression. Include at least two examples of research (AO1). Make it clear in your notes how the aggression has an evolutionary advantage. Link it to either natural or sexual selection. Extension: How could you argue that infidelity and jealousy do not have an evolutionary advantage?

Check your understanding Verbally ask each other short answer questions to check each other’s understanding of today’s lesson. Extension: Make your questions more challenging.

Learning objectives : You are now able: To describe how evolution can explain aggression in humans. To apply evolutionary explanations of aggression to infidelity and jealousy.

Homework Due in next lesson: Read pages and add the following to your AO1 notes: 1)The functions of aggression (Lorenz). 2) Malignant and benign aggression. Preparation for next lesson: Think about what AID your AO2 points would apply to the evolutionary approach.