Alfred Wallace and The Descent of Man

Question 1

What was Wallace’s belief concerning human evolution? Why?

Answer 1

He thought that it required supernatural intervention, because he thought that mental faculties emerged in advance of any usefulness

Question 2

What was Wallace first to propose? (2 points)

Answer 2

Human selection shifted from physical to psychological; we increasingly valued intellect.
AND
Social instincts attenuate natural selection processes, preventing further intellectual evolution (as we look after our mentally disabled, we will no longer evolve)

Question 3

What was Darwin’s reply to Wallace and when was it written?

Answer 3

The Descent of Man, 1871

Question 4

How did the Descent of Man address sexual selection?

Answer 4

The tails of male peacocks and antlers of male deer served as a hinderance, therefore do not make sense in respects to Natural Selection.
Therefore such physical traits must help the animals be selected as mates, attracting more partners and producing more offspring.

Question 5

How did Darwin speak about sexual selection factoring into human evolution?

Answer 5

He introduced it as a potential factor, with Natural Selection as the main force

Question 6

What did Darwin say about the evolution of human’s mental capacities?

Answer 6

Argued that human mental capacities were not unique. Puzzle solving in apes, speech patterns and mimicry in parrots, altruistic behaviour (protection of young) in birds are examples of mental continuity with other animals.
Concluded that combined elements of these characteristics created the human psyche.