PBI 141 Lecture : Aggression
Document Summary
Aggressive tendencies evolved as solutions to adaptive problems . Aggression is evoked under those conditions that were similar to those experienced by our evolutionary ancestors. But its purpose is to safeguard your status, mates, kin: ex: jealousy. Evoked when there is a threat to a resource that we have. Defence: our evolutionary ancestors couldn"t have been pacifists. Resources were too limited in terms of food, shelter, territory and mates, to be pacifistic. Loss of resources could lead to loss of status, mate and could result in death. Aggressive tendencies can cause one to develop a reputation for retaliation, which is sometimes sufficient to deter enemies from trying to take your resources. Mate retention: most aggressive acts today have to do with gaining and maintain access to a mate. Costs vs. benefits of aggression: those who could best analyze this ration survived to become our ancestors.