Group Displays

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  • Created by: Amy
  • Created on: 13-01-13 18:59
What are the benefits of forming a group in warfare?
Power, protection, increased chance of winning
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From an evolutionary perspective, why might females find a victorious male more attractive than a male that has lost?
They would have more status and be more dominant - therefore better able to provide and protect the family
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In Bosnia, 2000+ women were ***** by Serbs during religiously motivated violence. How could this be explained from an evolutionary perspective?
To make women pregnant who would raise the children as Serbs (Serbian blood is more 'superior') One group has status over the other (Serbs over Bosnians; access to land, women and resources)
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Why might victory in war lead to increased levels of aggression in the next generation?
Less aggressive males will not survive war; the aggressive gene will be passed on to the next generation creasing an increasingly aggressive species
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What did Chagnon find amongst the Yanomamo tribe?
There is constant fighting for access to women or to improve status. Males who were successful warriors had more wives and children than those who were less successful in battle. Most young men who had killed were married
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Why does this support the evolutionary explanation of war?
Supports the idea that group displays increase reproductive fitness
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How does the evolutionary theory explain why some individuals choose not to fight?
Humans have evolved to recognise that group conflict should be avoided if the costs outweigh the benefits
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How does this support the evolutionary explanation?
Because it shows that is males are not going to increase reproductive fitness by engaging in war (losing is inevitable) then they would choose not to and live to pass on their genes
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How does the evolutionary perspective explain why women are less likely to engage in war?
There is no reason to: their reproductive fitness is not affected by the number of available males
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What did Ledyard find to argue against this?
When defending oneself against physical attack, men and women are equally as likely to retaliate
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What is a weakness of explaining war and **** using an evolutionary perspective?
Could make these acts seem acceptable. Ignores the causes/reasons for war such as fighting because you believe in something
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What is an alternative explanation for warfare?
Deindividuation theory; feel anonymous and unidentifiable and less likely to be personally held responsible
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What are weaknesses of the evolutionary explanation of war?
Reductionist, Focus on nature, Gender bias, Determinist
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What is an example of self inflicted violence during a religious festival?
Ashura: self-flagellation that commemorates the suffering of Hussein
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What are the reasons of this from an evolutionary perspective?
Accepted into the group; shows commitment; solidarity
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Why is this behaviour adaptive?
Shows strength and loyalty
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Why is this behaviour maladaptive?
They could die; make themselves weaker and more vulnerable; scarring could be recognised as part of a group and be open to attack
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What did Irons believe the benefits of living in a group are?
defence, hunting, food sharing, warfare
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What do aggressive ceremonies and displays confirm?
The individual's commitment to the group; they are not a member simply for the benefits (free riders)
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Why are painful rituals favoured by natural selection?
Promotes commitment and cooperation within the group and so it is favoured by natural selection and is actually adaptive
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What name does Zahavi give to painful rituals?
Handicaps
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Give an example
A peacock's plumage attracts mates but also makes it difficult for the male to escape from predators
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Why are costly displays adaptive?
They are too costly to exhibit for no reason (status, breeding potential, cooperation/commitment)
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How does Sosis support this with the idea of the Haredim?
In Summer, the Jewish stand outside and worship God whilst praying and singing. They do this in thick coats, suits and hats so they become extremely hot while they do this. This proves they are committed to their group and God.
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What did Ruffle and Sosis find in the Jewish religion to explain adaptive explanations in religion?
Religious males are required to publicly pray three times a day - shows commitment publicly. Females show their commitment privately (baking and lighting Shabbat candles)
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Why does this support the evolutionary theory?
A male's commitment to the religious group is displayed more visibly than a female's commitment; leads to higher levels of group co-operation
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What did Sosis et al suggest about the frequency of warfare?
It is the strongest predictor of the costliness of the male's ritual display (more warfare, more costly the display)
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What does intragroup solidarity lead to?
Intergroup conflict
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How are these explanations determinist?
Removes free will, self-inflicted violence is an innate response to the desire to belong to a group
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How are these explanations reductionist?
Only reason people behave this way is to join a group, ignores other reasons such as rebelling, emotions etc
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How are some of these studies/theories culture biased?
Specific cases from religions or cultures; may not apply to everyone
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

From an evolutionary perspective, why might females find a victorious male more attractive than a male that has lost?

Back

They would have more status and be more dominant - therefore better able to provide and protect the family

Card 3

Front

In Bosnia, 2000+ women were ***** by Serbs during religiously motivated violence. How could this be explained from an evolutionary perspective?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Why might victory in war lead to increased levels of aggression in the next generation?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What did Chagnon find amongst the Yanomamo tribe?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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