Citation

Archer J. Aggressive Behav. 1995; 21(4): 243-255.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, International Society for Research on Aggression, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Two aspects of the ethological approach outlined by Tinbergen [(1963): Zeitschrift fur Tierpsychologie 20:410-433] are considered in relation to the way psychologists have studied human aggression, These aspects are the provision of a sound descriptive base and the application of the principle of natural selection, Description requires more than cataloging, and is best aided by quantitative data. Three examples from aggression research are used to illustrate problems generated by lack of attention to these principles: 1) imitation of aggression by children, 2) pain-induced aggression in rats and 3) measures of spousal violence, The principle of natural selection can be used to re-interpret existing data sources and to generate new ones, Darwinian and social psychological accounts of homicide are contrasted to indicate different conclusions and different emphases generated by the two approaches, The extension of the Darwinian approach to provide a theoretical basis for female aggression is also considered.