On whiteboards: answer the question… How does the evolutionary explanation of infidelity and jealousy link to aggression? 5 mins

Evaluation: Research Wilson et al (1995) Questionnaire: women experience violence if males are jealous Support: sexual jealous. Become aggressive towards partner (e.g use of mate retention strategies) through fear of paternal uncertainty. Daly and Wilson (1988) Men have evolved different strategies which are used to prevent their partners from committing infidelity Support: mate retention strategies seen as an adaption to deal with paternal uncertainty 10 mins

Evaluation research Buss (1998) Males value chastity and faithfulness. Sexual infidelity most distressing Females value faithfulness. Emotional infidelity most distressing. Partially support Male no reproductive certainty: unsure whether offspring is theirs – value chastity. Females – provide resources and support for offspring. Fear male showing affection to other female.

Evaluation: Research Miller (1980) 55% women – jealousy as reason for partners violence 25% of the women stated jealousy as the reason for the partners violence Some critics argue that DV is caused by jealousy and infidelity . Males may behave aggressively in order to keep the female If they feel that their reproductive success is being threatened by the female being unfaithful then they may use aggression (display mate retention strategies). Shackleton (2005) positive correlation between mate retention strategies and violence. positive correlation between jealous partners and victims of violence Use of mate retention strategies employed to ensure reproductive success – mate retention strategies shown to have relationship with aggression 10 mins

Add in your evidence… Male jealousy can be seen as a source of human aggression and is an adaption that has evolved specifically to prevent paternal uncertainty. This was supported by… Sexual jealousy from man to women may occur due to the risk of reproductive cost being wasted on the up-bringing of the off-spring of another man. This is of course a disadvantage and does not fulfil the aim of evolution which is to pass on genes to subsequent generations. This was supported by…

Wider evaluation/IDA Gender bias: reinforces gender stereotypes. Individual differences: homosexuality, reconstituted families/IVF, single female families/adoption. Cultural variations: How can some cultures have such a different attitude and record of aggression than others? If sexual jealousy is a universal response why are there differences in level of aggression/relationship fidelity 10 mins

Wider evaluation Evolutionary approach Post-hoc, based on events that have already passed and applying abstract concepts retrospectively which cannot be scientifically tested Some critics feel that explanation justify violence against women as natural and inevitable. Determinism. Disregards any role for free-will in behaviour relating to infidelity and aggression. Dreznick (2004) – differences in beliefs of what constitutes infidelity.

Modal class answer: wider evaluation If we are suggesting that aggression is a response to jealousy, this takes away the individuals choice in their actions and thus removes the act of free will and reduces responsibility for their actions. There has been cases such as the 2002 case of Pipat Lueprasitkul where male defendants have been released due to experiencing a fit of jealousy which, has been argued to be beyond their control. However, it could be argued that one thing that separates us from animals is that we have freewill and that a more adaptive response other than aggression might be one of problem solving and discussion. 10 mins

Presentation Evolutionary explanations of group displays of aggressive behaviour in humans

You are going to present for 5 minutes in your group on either warfare or sport as an example of group display. You will access to the whiteboard and the Internet.   Please include the following within your presentation: A description of the contribution sporting events or warfare plays in aggressive behaviour by groups. The research/studies to support or refute this approach. You have examples on your worksheet. You need to find at least one additional piece of research to support or refute the explanation. Evaluation of the research/studies IDA and wider evaluation points you think specifically relate to this topic