The ethological explanation of aggression suggests that aggression is an innate and adaptive behaviour, shaped by evolution to increase survival and reproductive success. Ethologists argue that aggression is triggered by an Innate Releasing Mechanism (IRM)—a built-in neural process that responds to specific environmental stimuli, known as sign stimuli. Once activated, the IRM triggers a Fixed Action Pattern (FAP), which is a stereotyped and unchangeable sequence of aggressive behaviors. Lorenz and Tinbergen's research on animals, such as stickleback fish and geese, supports this idea, demonstrating that aggression follows predictable patterns and serves key survival functions, such as securing territory or dominance within a group. However, critics argue that this explanation oversimplifies human aggression, neglecting the role of learning, culture, and social influences.

Aggression. Neural and hormonal mechanisms in aggression, including the roles of the limbic system, serotonin and testosterone. Genetic factors in aggression, including the MAOA gene. The ethological explanation of aggression, including reference to innate releasing mechanisms and fixed action patterns.

Neural and hormonal mechanisms in aggression, including the roles of the limbic

Hormonal mechanisms in aggression, including serotonin and testosterone

Genetic factors in aggression, including the MAOA gene.

SPECIFICATION: The ethological explanation of aggression, including reference to innate releasing mechanisms and fixed action patterns

Evolutionary explanations of human aggression.

Social psychological explanations of human aggression include, social learning theory as applied to human aggression,

Social psychological explanations of human aggression The frustration-aggression hypothesis

Social psychological explanations of human aggression: de-individuation.

Institutional aggression in the context of prisons: dispositional and situational explanations.

Media influences on aggression, including the effects of computer games. The role of desensitisation, disinhibition and cognitive priming.