Final answer:
Aggressive behaviors aim to cause harm or pain and can be physical, verbal, or psychological. Aggression is influenced by both evolutionary functions and cultural factors, and can also arise from competition for resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aggressive behaviors refer to actions that are intended to cause harm or pain to another being. This can manifest as physical violence, such as when two male gorillas fight, using their teeth to inflict wounds, or it can be more indirect, such as through psychological bullying or social isolation. It's important to note that aggression is not necessarily just physical; it also includes verbal and psychological dimensions. Hostile aggression is often driven by anger with the intent to cause pain, while instrumental aggression is more about achieving a specific goal and may not have the direct intent to cause harm.
Aggression has several theories explaining its existence, with some researchers suggesting it serves an evolutionary function. Men, due to evolutionary psychology, may exhibit more aggressive behaviors as a means to display dominance and protect mates, thereby perpetuating their genes. However, women also engage in aggressive acts, usually in more covert or indirect ways.
Moreover, aggressive behavior can be influenced by cultural factors — what is perceived as a threat and hence triggers aggression can be largely determined by societal norms and pressures. Additionally, competition for resources can provoke aggression in both humans and other animals, and there exists a distinction between intra-species and inter-species competition.