Evaluation of the 'evolution' explanation of aggression:


	Evaluation of the 'evolution' explanation of aggression:
	Advantages There is lots of evidence to support evolution and natural selection, such as Kettlewell's observations of moths in the industrial revolution. The scientific method is used in research when looking at this theory. Darwin took careful observations and observed visible behaviour, which could be confirmed by others. This means there is scientific credibility in the idea of evolution.	Disadvantages By being aggressive (to protect their offspring and therefore their genes) the may be putting themselves at risk. They may attract other aggressive individuals and by using their energy on being aggressive they may not use resources successfully and may not survive. Behaviour that draws attention from predators (aggression) can put them at risk and mean they may not survive. This conflicts the evolution theory of aggression. The frustration-aggression theory can be seen as an alternative explanation to evolution. Dollard et al (1939) says that if there is frustration and aggression cannot be taken out in that situation, it will be displaced onto someone or something else. The theory of evolution is not flexible enough to explain situations like people turning on strangers in the street, whereas Dollar et al's frustration-aggression theory can.
	Evaluation

There is lots of evidence to support evolution and natural selection, such as Kettlewell's observations of moths in the industrial revolution.
The scientific method is used in research when looking at this theory.
Darwin took careful observations and observed visible behaviour, which could be confirmed by others. This means there is scientific credibility in the idea of evolution.

By being aggressive (to protect their offspring and therefore their genes) the may be putting themselves at risk. They may attract other aggressive individuals and by using their energy on being aggressive they may not use resources successfully and may not survive.
Behaviour that draws attention from predators (aggression) can put them at risk and mean they may not survive. This conflicts the evolution theory of aggression.
The frustration-aggression theory can be seen as an alternative explanation to evolution. Dollard et al (1939) says that if there is frustration and aggression cannot be taken out in that situation, it will be displaced onto someone or something else.
The theory of evolution is not flexible enough to explain situations like people turning on strangers in the street, whereas Dollar et al's frustration-aggression theory can.

Get Revising