Barbara Smuts on Male Aggression

Barbara Smuts makes a connection between aggressive behavior of primates and humans in her essay, “Apes of Wrath.” Smuts shares her story of one of her first encounters with nonhuman animal violence; she witnessed a male chimpanzee attack a female chimp that was in the early stage of estrus, which is when they are fertile and sexually receptive. Over many years, Smuts saw many other similar attacks among other animals as well. Smuts eventually began to believe “that a deeper understanding of male aggressive against females in other species can help us understand its counterpart in our own.” Through experiments of animal aggression, Smuts concluded that this behavior was a scare tactic that males used to make the females surrender and to establish ownership of females. Smuts believes that social relationships contribute to male aggression towards females. Females who join forces with other females tend to face less aggression than females who don’t. Females who form alliances with males may face protection against other males, but they are more likely to face violence or control under the male they befriended. Smuts then proceeds to compare these patterns of behavior to humans. She focuses on the importance of a strong female following and the social unacceptability of violence against women.

Smuts began her essay with an anecdote about a trip she made when she was in “Gombe National Park in Tanzania, trying to keep up with an energetic young female chimpanzee.” The story grabs the reader’s attention as well as acts as a seamless introduction into specific primate behavior that relates to human behavior. She then follows this up with loads of facts to support her claim of there being a correlation between primates and humans. Since Smuts is a scientist herself, she uses some information from her own experience and some from other experiments. These facts help Smuts prove to the reader that behavior among nonhuman animals is very similar to the male aggression seen in humans. Also the fact that Smuts is a scientist makes her more credible; the reader is more likely to believe what she says if the author has the education in that specific field.

The one thing about this essay that got me thinking was whether or not this essay is still relevant. This essay was published almost twenty years ago and so it’s hard to judge if her discussion about how men treat women is still relevant to present day. But at the same time, it could have to do with where I grew up. I didn’t grow up in a society where male aggression is normal or acceptable behavior. And I noticed that Smuts discusses the cultures of other places in the world other than the United States, including “South American Yanomamo…people of the Central African Republic…a community in Belize…Bosnia…China and northern India.” So it might be still relevant when looked at from a global perspective. It’s hard to determine how this applies to other countries twenty years later.

Human (sorry, “Male”) Agression

I don’t want to take a deep analysis into Barbara Smuts’, “Apes of Wrath.” However, these are some thoughts that came to mind. Throughout the article, it becomes painfully obvious that she is an expert on the social behavior of nonhuman animals. However, what about her being a professor of psychology and anthropology? This short analysis may due the article injustice, however.The article goes into great detail about how male, non-humans, proceed to abuse, in several different ways, females.In which, she uses a great many studies to come to that conclusion. Which is all used as a driving factor for her final point. She believes it is a necessity for human women to form alliances in order to overcome human male control. Now you may ask, how does she get from point A to that final point B? In the last 2-3 pages of her articles, she states cases of how human males control human females. All of which a real existent cases. However, this would only help her her argument, if it wasn’t based on assumption. She didn’t do a case study on how human males have the same primate instincts as non-humans. She simply stated some examples of times when men act as such. She didn’t actually do tests and see that male humans and non-humans solve puzzles the same way or cases such as that one.
Her final point is very true. Women should form alliances as she suggested. However, that doesn’t excuse her making the assumption males can only act like primates. Is she also under the assumption that females don’t act like primates? Essentially, she critiques female primates for letting themselves be treated as such by males. She believes that, if human females don’t act like primates and form alliances, that this can all be fixed. She never once considered males as being able to control their behavior.

Man people are gonna hate me for this analysis.

Response to “Apes of Wrath”

Barbara Smuts’ “Apes of Wrath” compares the violent behavior of mating of a multitude of monkey species to the abusive and violent nature that different human socieities exhibit, in an effort to exemplify the gruesome similarity that humans and monkeys attain.  Through extensive research, Smuts examined the mating practices of many different species of primates, and compared them. She noticed that although many of the species are relatively the same, their treatment of women however, could not have been more different. From one end of the spectrum, Smuts, with the aid of Jane Goodall – a noted expert on chimpanzees – studied the chimps and observed their mating behavior. The male chimpanzees would attack the female chimps in order to instill fear. This was a method of twisted training that prompted the females to  give into the males sexual favors more easily. Bonobos, on the other hand, rarely treat their female suitors with such disrespect. Other methods of female harassment exist between these two extremes, such as the hamadryas baboons, who “threats and intimidation to get sex.” Smuts attributes the amount of female abuse suffered by each species to the extent of social relationships that the females participate in. She emphasizes the importance of alliances in her research, particularly towards the end of the essay. Smuts infers that animals (including humans) all benefit from the presence of an alliance, with either a male or female in some way. Female bonobos for example, form and cement their alliances between females by engaging in lesbian acts. Because of their strong female bond, male bonobos tend to avoid attacking them. Conversely, female orangutans usually travel alone, with the exception dependent children. Because of this and the limited social relationships they have, orangutans are more vulnerable and subjected to “forced copulation.” It is evident that the amount of social interaction and alliances that exist between an animal and its counterparts directly correlate the extent of abuse.

Smuts relates the social interaction aspect of the primates to humans. Smuts believes that the same relationship applies to human abusive instances as well. Different societies of humans also have different methods of treating their female companions. The people of  Yanomano in South America, rape and abduct women; the Aka people have never conducted male aggression towards women. The contrast between the two societies show how similar humans are to the other primates.Although issues such as female abuse exist in the United States, the issue isn’t as prevalent, compared to more traditional and patriarchal societies. This is because of the fact that in our society, women surround themselves with many friends and family, that will ultimately protect them from potential harm.   Smuts believes that “sisterhood is powerful” and effective at preventing any unwanted male attention. The forming of male and female alliances can protect females of all types of primates (including humans) from the lustful sex-crazed males.

Exploring new disciplines on teens’ brains

In parents’ common sense, teenagers are always irrational and reckless. David Dobbs conveys people with his son’s high-speed driving experience on this concept of adolescents. This narrative beginning can attract readers quickly and makes readers deeply understand what is going on during the rest of his essay. Dobbs’s story raises the common consideration through thousands years from general public, which is what teens’ brains are going on. Dobbs cites plenty of scientific materials which are exploring on teens ‘brains. For instance, Dobbs compares adults brains and teens’ brains through numerous studies. Studies shows “Compared with adults, teens tended to make less use of brain regions that monitor performance, spot errors, plan, and stay focused- areas the adults seemed to bring online automatically”(159). In other words, it seems that adults can use their brain easier and more stable than teenagers. What these materials finally define that teens brains are immature and still are developing. However, it seems that Dobbs has different views with these materials.  He starts to emphasize his view by mentioning “The story you’re reading right now, however, tells a different scientific tale about the teen brain”. (160). This sentence not only makes a good connection between what comes before and what goes after, but also let intended readers rethink if  these scientific materials are really that critical and rational on the relationship between teens’ brains and teens’ behavior. He supposes that the adolescent brain can be accounted for “the adaptive-adolescent story” based on the natural selection principle. Dobbs divides it into three parts:  seeking sensation or novelty, risk taking and peer community. He explains all three abstract parts based on concrete examples. He gives examples for sensation seeking such as a skydive or a fast drive. He also stands on both positive and negative effects of these three parts. For example, he shows sensation seeking could positively generate inspiration and success from novel experiences. Dobbs gives counter example when explain “risk taking”-“The age group from roughly fifteen to twenty-five  dies of accidents of almost every sort (other than work accidents) at high rates”(161).

Although he stands at the adolescents’ side to redefine their behaviors, he ends his essay by standing on parents’ sides to teach parents how to educate and help their children. Dobbs observes that parents need to guide and give suggestions to help their children to adapt to the adults’ world, not simply or entirely control children’s life via “parental authority”. He said “…the teen recognizes that the parent can offer certain kernels of wisdom-knowledge valued not because it comes from parental authority but because it comes from the parent’s own struggles to learn how the world turns” (165).  I guess it is an effective way to educate teenagers since as an adolescent, I prefer to hear advice from my parents and then make decisions by myself than just entirely listen and follow my parents’ steps.  Dobbs can convince readers because he is not only a writer but also a father. Parents always have similar views with him and can be easier to be persuasive.

Works cited: http://blackboard.stonybrook.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2611041-dt-content-rid-10816616_1/courses/1134-WRT-102-SEC22-40032/dobbs_brains.pdf

Response to “Beautiful Brains”

David Dobbs’ essay “Beautiful Brains” highlights the complexities that envelop the typical teen brain, calling into question why teens act in a such a unique manner. Teenagers are usually regarded as irrational, reckless, and generally stupid individuals. The period of adolescence, described by many highly regarded individuals such as Freud, or Erik Erikson, is a time of “psycho-sexual conflict” and “several identity crises.” These presumptions, in conjunction with the idea that teens are troublesome and risk-takers, form society’s interpretation of what the inside of a teenager’s mind would consist of. Thanks to more recent technology however, scientists are able to attain a very real depiction of what the teen brain is, including its functions and complexities. Through many experiments, outlined in Dobbs’ essay, he discovers how the teen brain works. Dobbs states that the teen brain relates its thought and decision process by a risk versus reward system. Teenagers recognize that “skateboarding down stairways…or skydiving” are associated with massive risks, but the desire of thrill outweighs the risk. Teens seek out sensation and commit risky acts to satisfy their lust for adrenaline. Some of the risks teens take are instrumental in learning as well. Making new friends, or experiencing new things, result in a more positive individual.  The risk/reward system is prevalent in almost all decisions the teen makes. If a teen fails, the reward serves as a learning experience that the individual would have never tasted if they never took the risk initially. Because of this, Dobbs calls the teen, “the most fully, crucially adaptive, human beings around.”Relating to his personal anecdote about his son driving 113 miles on the highway before being pulled over, Dobbs acknowledges that teens are thinking when it comes to performing such dangerous activities, contrary to popular belief. Dobbs’ son, for instance observed the conditions surrounding him, prior to his execution of his startling act. Teens commit these crazy and wild stunts because they hold the rewards associated, above the dangers and possible harm. Dobbs recognizes that the teen reigns supreme in risk taking, because it thrives on experiencing new things, and receiving possible rewards from those experiences. In a sense, the teen mind as Dobbs passionately depicts as “beautiful,” is beautiful because of its adaptability and desire for adventure. He encourages the idea that teens should take these dumb risks now, so that they discover exciting new things, while simultaneously learning essential life lessons. The last sentence of Dobbs’ essay states that “if we smartened up sooner, we’d end up dumber.” If teenagers developed their sensibility and reasoning at an earlier time than usual, they would never grasp essential life problems and solutions, which occur throughout the adolescent years.

The Complex Teenage Mind

Are teens really stupid? No, they’re not. Teenagers just haven’t fully developed their brains. According to Dobbs’ “Beautiful Brains”, the reason teenagers these days are doing dangerous and impulsive things is because their brains are still developing. They’re still in the process of becoming adults. However, the qualities of “angst, idiocy, and haste; impulsiveness, selfishness, and reckless bumbling” (Dobbs), shouldn’t be associated with adolescence. These traits are merely the ones that we recognize easiest because these are there the reasons that teenagers annoy us or concern us. However, they aren’t all bad. These traits are reasons why teenagers are so eager to make friends, take risks, and look for something usual or surprising. Their thirsts for attention and rewards are fueled by such traits, but to teenagers, what they get out of these dangerous behaviors are worth the risk; unlike adults, teens weigh risk and reward differently, which may be the reason why adults view teens as impulsive, risky, and immature.

I have to agree with Dobbs on the points that were made in the article. Adults don’t always see eye to eye with teenagers. Adults tend to be more conservative with their actions: over-weighing the risks, while under-weighing the rewards. The stereotype for teenagers is impulsive and immature. Immaturity, however, can be viewed as being risky. Typically, people who seem to have no consideration for the dangers or consequences of one’s actions can be viewed as being immature, but also risky. The teenage brain is still developing and is undergoing “upgrade”, but like Dobbs says in the article, “if we smartened up sooner, we’d end up dumber.” Life is all about learning from your mistakes and improving yourself through this process. If we “smartened” up sooner, where would we learn these valuable lessons from? We never really stop learning in life, but through the mistakes we’ve made growing up, we can offer advice to our children, and hopefully they could learn something from it too.

Response to “Beautiful Brains”

David Dobbs essay, “Beautiful Brains,” discusses the reasons and the importance of certain traits of teenagers. It’s always been believed that teenagers are just trouble and incapable of making good decisions, but Dobbs claims that this is just the natural urge for teenagers to take risks and be “sensation seeking.” He explains this by describing several experiments that reveal the difference between teen and adult behavior. He claims that teenagers tend to have more risky behavior because they think more about the reward of taking a risk rather than the dangers. And this natural tendency is exactly what’s beautiful about the brain; it causes teenagers to be “quite possibly the most fully, crucially adaptive human beings around.” It’s this behavior that inspired people to try new things and branch out. Without this, people would not start their own life and try something different; the human race wouldn’t be as successful if they were too cautious.

The title of the essay, “Beautiful Brains,” itself is a way for Dobbs to emphasize his view on how incredible the brain is. He is specifically referring to brains during the adolescence stage as being “beautiful.” When many people claim teenagers as being stupid, not thinking, and not using their brain, Dobbs is explaining how fascinating their behaviors are, because they are using their brains. Dobbs introduces the idea of adolescence brain development through an anecdote; he begins with an entertaining story of how his son got a speeding ticket. This personal story served as a way to draw the reader in and grab their attention. He then transitioned this story into how it made him curious about how and why teenagers have a tendency to be risky and daring. Throughout his essay, Dobbs uses logic to explain the brain development of humans through their adolescence stage. He refers to multiple tests that prove how teenagers are more likely to take risks than adults. He also uses rhetorical questions to get the reader to ponder on certain concepts, he asks, “So if teens think as well as adults do and recognize risk just as well, why do they take more chances?” He proceeds to answer the question by explaining how teenagers focus on the rewards rather than the negative consequences. And while this may appear to be a very bad thing, it’s actually a very positive aspect of human nature. Without a little danger, humans would not be flourishing like they are. Dobbs concludes his essay by addressing how adolescence is the perfect time for humans to be risky; it gives them the chance to discover new, incredible things, while learning from their mistakes and mistakes of others.