1. what is evolution

Question 1

evolutionary psychology

Answer 1

Study of human behaviour, affect and cognition from an evolutionary perspective

Using theories to understand why the human mind works this way and how it has been designed

Humans as part of the ANIMAL KINGDOM

Question 2

Lamarck 18th century

Answer 2

inheritance of acquired characteristics

use and disuse of traits

driven by inner ‘need’

Question 3

Darwin 19th century

Answer 3

natural selection
survival of the fittest
NO genes

Question 4

Mendel 19th century

Answer 4

mechanism of genes

Question 5

DNA discovery + modern synthesis 20th century

Answer 5

1. function - evolution
2. mechanism - gene

• mixing parental genes -> mendelian genetics
• recombination
• mutation

Question 6

natural selection
- 3 components

Answer 6

variation / inheritance / selection

Individual variation in traits -> compete better for resources -> passed on

OVER TIME become better adapted to the environment

Question 7

sexual selection
-> inter sexual competition

Answer 7

traits that are passed on because they attract opposite sex mates

-> pretty feathers of birds

Question 8

sexual selection
-> intra sexual competition

Answer 8

traits that won same sex competitions for mates

-> stag fight

Question 9

savannah hypothesis

Answer 9

walking upright became an advantage
-> functionally adapted
-> product of evolution

Question 10

the brain + evolution

Answer 10

increase in brain size over time
- ecological factors
- social / cultural factors

Reptilian brain, brain stem (avoid and approach)
Paleo-mammalian complex, emotions (limbic system)
Neo-mammalian complex, planning (neocortex)

Question 11

history of evolutionary psych

Answer 11

Sigmund Freud: sex is important

William James: we have lots of instincts

Skinner’s Behaviorism: everything can be learned as long as it is rewarded

Harlow and Garcia-experiments: monkey comfort contact

Question 12

adaptions
- functioning
- mismatched

Answer 12

Naturally selected inherited characteristics that SOLVE a survival problem or HELP reproduction

Still functioning -> parenting

Mismatched -> Used to be adaptive but not anymore
-> Fatty food preference

Question 13

by-products

Answer 13

carried along with adaptions WITHOUT function
-> belly button

Question 14

noise

Answer 14

random effects / no function
-> eye color, musical taste

Question 15

psychological adaptions
-> Evolved psychological mechanisms OR if-then decision rules

Answer 15

• Takes in specific inputs
• Transforms it into adaptive outputs

-> Can be psychological, physiological, behavioural or combinations