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The multiple adaptive problems solved by human aggression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 August 2009

David M. Buss
David M. Buss
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, A8000, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712. dbuss@psy.utexas.eduwww.davidbuss.com
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Abstract

Human psychology contains adaptations to deploy aggression as one solution to many distinct adaptive problems. These include expropriating resources, defending against incursions, establishing encroachment-deterring reputations, inflicting costs on rivals, ascending dominance hierarchies, dissuading partner defection, eliminating fitness-draining offspring, and obtaining new mates. Aggression is not a singular strategy. Comprehensive theories must identify the “design features” of multiple adaptations for aggression.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 32 , Issue 3-4 , August 2009 , pp. 271 - 272
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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