The adaptive & ritualistic functions of aggression
- Ethology is the study of animal behaviour and, by extension, human behaviour in terms of traits, characteristics and rituals which have adapted to become useful for survival
- Aggression is an evolutionary process in that it is designed to minimise conflict and spread resources around the group (whether that be lions, monkeys, sticklebacks or humans)
- In the animal kingdom there are specific territorial behaviours which help to establish who is ‘top dog’ (quite literally!) and who must take their place further down the pecking order
- Territoriality-linked aggressive behaviour may take the form of stags rutting; male sticklebacks displaying a red underbelly as a warning to other males; a cat arching its back and hissing at other cats to ‘back off’
- Aggressive territoriality is a useful survival strategy as it results in one animal claiming rights over a specific territory which means that the rest of the group have to find alternative feeding and breeding areas which spreads the resources around and prevents overpopulation of one area (and possible starvation)
- Ritualistic behaviours are designed to show competitors who is ‘boss’ and to deter them from encroaching on the chosen territory
- Ritualistic behaviours are characterised in the following ways:
- Little harm is actually done to each animal, the threat is implied rather than carried out to its natural conclusion i.e. death, which is ultimately damaging to the species’ survival
- Signs of threat may include a lowered head; baring of teeth/fangs; growling/snarling; the display of red in feathers/coat/skin
- Signs of surrender include birds turning their head towards a competitor (this is the most vulnerable part of the bird and signals the end to the fight); dogs and wolves assuming a submissive position e.g. lowering themselves down or (according to Lorenz) exposing their throat (again, the most vulnerable part of the animal)
- Human behaviour has some similarities with animal aggression e.g. wars are fought for territories; males may ‘posture’ in front of other males to warn them away from a desired female e.g. via lots of shouting, pushing, arms spread wide etc.
Who would have thought that this cute little chap is showing how dangerous he is!
Exam Tip
You should definitely cover examples of animal threat and display in a question on ethological explanations of aggression but don’t forget to make the link to human behaviour (unless the question does not require this).