The ethological explanation of aggression, including reference to innate releasing mechanisms and fixed action patterns
Ethologists argue that animals, including humans, are born with automatic aggressive responses. A specific trigger in the environment switches on a rigid, instinctive sequence of aggressive behaviour.
Real World
Male sticklebacks attack any red-coloured object — even a crude red-bellied dummy — because red acts as the sign stimulus that triggers the IRM for territorial aggression, a finding used to demonstrate fixed action patterns in A-level biology and psychology alike.
Exam Focus
Use the correct term 'innate releasing mechanism' rather than 'trigger'; and describe the FAP as stereotyped and species-specific for full marks.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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