briefly outline and evaluate one research study into the evolutionary causes of aggression (4 marks)

In a 1988 study, Daly and Wilson propose that marital aggression can be explained as an adaptive response. They suggest that the evolutionary desire to ensure the propagation of one's own DNA has resulted in the development of male sexual jealousy. This evolutionary response supposedly prevents the infidelity of female partners, reducing the risk of cuckoldry. Strategies associated with male sexual jealousy include emotionally aggressive behaviours such as vigilance, limiting their partner's independence. Another strategy is physical aggression, the fear of which would encourage obedience on the part of the woman.
This research is supported by Buss (1988) who argues in favour of the existence of strategies which assure 'mate retention' such as 'direct guarding' (e.g. restricting her movements) and 'negative inducements', (e.g. financial control, physical threats).
A notable criticism of the evolutionary theory is that most studies focus on male aggression, ignoring the existence of female retention strategies. This alpha bias means that it is difficult to generalise evolutionary theories. They can only be applied to a limited extent to forms of aggression outside the traditionally studied model, i.e male marital violence.