Evolutionary Psychology Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of evolutionary psychology?

Evolutionary psychology examines how evolutionary principles, such as natural and sexual selection, shape psychological processes and behaviors.

Evolutionary psychology aims to understand the development of individual differences and variations.

False (B)

Which of the following is NOT a key principle of evolutionary psychology?

  • Sexual Selection
  • Cognitive Development (correct)
  • Natural Selection
  • Adaptation

What is the main idea behind natural selection?

<p>Traits that enhance survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed on to future generations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Fear of snakes is an example of a trait that is adaptive, according to evolutionary psychology.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of intersexual selection?

<p>Female peacocks choosing mates based on the size and color of their feathers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of adaptation, as it is understood in evolutionary psychology?

<p>Psychological and behavioral traits evolve to solve specific problems faced by ancestors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ______ of Evolutionary Adaptedness refers to the conditions under which human psychological traits evolved.

<p>Environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of a major theory in evolutionary psychology?

<p>Behavioral Modification (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the core idea behind Parental Investment Theory?

<p>Explains sex differences in mating strategies based on reproductive costs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Kin Selection, altruistic behaviors towards relatives are driven by the desire to ensure the survival of shared genes.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of Reciprocal Altruism?

<p>Sharing food with someone in the expectation of receiving something in return later (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Error Management Theory proposes that humans evolved to minimize costly errors in decision-making.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does evolutionary psychology explain mate preferences?

<p>Explains mate preferences, jealousy, and bonding.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Evolutionary psychology suggests that parental investment in offspring is higher for biologically related children compared to stepchildren.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of how evolutionary psychology can explain social behavior?

<p>Individualistic pursuit of self-interest (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea behind the evolutionary explanation of fear and phobias?

<p>Evolved to protect individuals from survival threats.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A major critique of evolutionary psychology is that it is difficult to test hypotheses about ancestral environments.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a recognized criticism of evolutionary psychology?

<p>Lack of scientific methodology in research (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main takeaway from evolutionary psychology?

<p>Evolutionary psychology provides a framework for understanding universal human behaviors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Evolutionary Psychology

The study of how evolutionary principles, like natural and sexual selection, shape psychological processes and behaviors.

Natural Selection

Traits that increase survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed down.

Sexual Selection

Traits that increase mating success are favored. It can be intersexual (between sexes) or intrasexual (within the same sex).

Adaptation

Psychological and behavioral traits evolve to solve specific problems faced by our ancestors.

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Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA)

The conditions under which human psychological traits evolved. It's not the same as today's environment.

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Parental Investment Theory

Explains sex differences in mating strategies based on the cost of reproduction. Females invest more, so they are more selective.

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Kin Selection

Helping relatives increases the survival of shared genes.

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Reciprocal Altruism

Helping non-relatives with the expectation of future reciprocation. It's like a favor system.

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Error Management Theory (EMT)

Humans developed cognitive biases to minimize costly errors in decision-making.

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Mate Preferences

Evolution has shaped preferences for mates, like signs of health and fertility.

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Jealousy

Evolved as a way to protect relationships and reproductive success from threats.

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Parenting

Evolution emphasizes protecting and ensuring the survival of offspring.

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Social Behavior

Altruism, cooperation, and group dynamics are shaped by evolutionary pressures.

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Fear and Phobias

Evolved to protect individuals from threats to survival.

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Speculative Nature

It's hard to test hypotheses about ancestral environments, making evolutionary psychology sometimes speculative.

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Cultural Variation

Evolutionary psychology might overemphasize universality, ignoring the influence of culture.

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Reductionism

Complex behaviors might be reduced to simple evolutionary explanations, ignoring social and cognitive factors.

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Gender Stereotyping

Evolutionary psychology risks reinforcing traditional gender roles by attributing them to biology.

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Universal Human Behaviors

Evolutionary psychology provides a framework for understanding behaviors that are common across cultures.

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Adaptive Traits

Traits that evolved to address specific survival and reproductive challenges faced by our ancestors.

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Integration of Factors

For a complete understanding of behavior, we need to consider cultural, social, and environmental factors.

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Study Notes

Evolutionary Psychology

  • Evolutionary psychology examines how evolutionary principles (like natural and sexual selection) shape psychological processes and behaviors.
  • Studying evolutionary psychology helps understand universal behaviors and cognitive mechanisms.
  • It highlights how adaptations solve survival and reproduction challenges.

Key Principles of Evolutionary Psychology

  • Natural Selection: Traits enhancing survival and reproduction are more likely passed to future generations. (Example: Fear of snakes as a survival mechanism)
  • Sexual Selection: Traits increasing mating success are favored.
    • Intersexual Selection: Traits attractive to potential mates (e.g., peacock feathers).
    • Intrasexual Selection: Traits aiding competition within the same sex (e.g., antlers in deer).
  • Adaptation: Psychological and behavioral traits evolved to solve ancestral problems. (Example: Memory systems evolved to recognize allies and threats)
  • Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA): The conditions under which human psychological traits evolved. (Example: Preference for high-calorie foods, beneficial in times of scarcity but problematic in abundance)

Major Theories in Evolutionary Psychology

  • Parental Investment Theory: Explains sex differences in mating strategies based on reproductive costs.
    • Females invest heavily in offspring, leading to selectivity in mate choice.
    • Males compete for access to mates due to lower reproductive costs.
  • Kin Selection: Altruistic behaviors toward relatives enhance the survival of shared genes.

Applications

  • Mating and Relationships: Explains mate preferences, jealousy, and bonding (e.g., preferences for health and fertility indicators).
  • Parenting: Emphasizes protecting offspring and ensuring survival (e.g., higher investment in biologically related vs. stepchildren).
  • Social Behavior: Altruism, cooperation, and group dynamics are shaped by evolutionary pressures. (e.g., punishing freeloaders)
  • Fear and Phobias: Evolved to protect individuals from survival threats (e.g., fear of heights or predators).

Critiques of Evolutionary Psychology

  • Speculative Nature: Difficulty testing hypotheses about past environments.
  • Cultural Variation: Overemphasis on universality, neglecting substantial cultural influences.
  • Reductionism: Reducing complex behaviors to simple evolutionary explanations, neglecting social and cognitive factors.
  • Gender Stereotyping: Risk of reinforcing traditional gender roles.

Key Takeaways

  • Evolutionary psychology provides a framework for understanding universal human behaviors.
  • Adaptive traits address specific survival and reproductive challenges.
  • Integrating cultural, social, and environmental factors is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of behavior.

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Related Documents

Evolutionary Theories in Psychology PDF

Description

This quiz delves into the principles of evolutionary psychology, examining how natural and sexual selection influence psychological processes and behaviors. It explores adaptations that enhance survival and reproduction, providing insights into universal behaviors and cognitive mechanisms essential for understanding human psychology.

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