Evolutionary Psychology Chapter 1

Assessments Overview

• Class Participation accounts for 20% of the overall grade, involving weekly discussions.
• Discussion Questions contribute 10% to the total marks.
• Mid-Term exams make up 30% of the assessment.
• Final exams carry 40% weight towards the final score.

Pre-Darwinian Concepts of Evolution

• Jean Baptiste Lamarck theorized that organisms evolve towards higher forms through inheritance of acquired characteristics.
• Léopold Chrétien Frédéric Cuvier proposed Catastrophism, suggesting species are periodically wiped out by catastrophes and replaced by new species.

Charles Darwin and HMS Beagle

• Darwin traveled on the HMS Beagle at age 22, collecting specimens, notably from the Galápagos Islands.
• He discovered significant variations among Galápagos finches, leading him to identify them as distinct species.
• This observation contributed to the formulation of the Theory of Natural Selection.

Key Observations of Darwin

• Darwin concluded that species are not immutable; they can change over time influenced by local ecological conditions.
• The concept of "The Struggle for Existence" highlights that species must compete for survival, leading to the preservation of favorable traits.

Theory of Natural Selection

• Variation within organisms is multi-dimensional, covering structural, anatomical, cellular, and behavioral traits.
• Inheritance refers to the reliable passing down of attributes across generations.
• Selection occurs through differential reproductive success; organisms with beneficial traits reproduce more effectively, impacting evolutionary fitness.

Sexual Selection vs. Natural Selection

• Sexual Selection accounts for traits that enhance mating success but may not provide survival benefits, like the plumage of male peacocks.
• Sexual traits may evolve rapidly, influenced by species complexity.

Darwinism Evolution

• Classic Darwinism includes Variation, Inheritance, and Selection.
• Modern Synthesis (Neo-Darwinism) integrates Mendelian genetics and various theories, including inclusive-fitness and kin selection.

Mendelian Genetics

• Gregor Mendel's experiments from 1856-1863 on garden peas established the basics of hereditary genetics.
• He identified concepts of hereditary traits (genes) and formulated laws of inheritance.

Adaptation and Its Criteria

• Adaptations are solutions evolved in response to specific reproductive challenges.
• Established criteria for adaptations include:
  • Reliability: Mechanism's consistent occurrence across environments.
  • Efficiency: Effectiveness in solving adaptive problems.
  • Economy: Low cost to the organism for achieving adaptive advantages.

Robert Trivers' Seminal Theories

• Theory of Reciprocal Altruism (1971): Altruistic behaviors benefit unrelated individuals at a personal cost.
• Parental Investment Theory (1972): The sex investing more in offspring is more selective in mate choice.
• Parent-Offspring Conflict Theory (1974): Resources dedicated to one offspring cannot be used for others, creating tension in parental investment.

This quiz focuses on the assessment criteria for the Evolutionary Psychology course at Singapore Management University. Key components include class participation, discussion questions, mid-terms, and finals, each weighted differently. Evaluate understanding and contributions to the course material.