CH 3 Evolution & Psychology (QUESTIONS)

Question 1

What is the Theory of Evolution regarded as? Explain. (2,2)

Answer 1

1. Charles Darwin’s dangerous idea
   - It was going to take human kind off a pedestal of being masters of the planet- putting them on an equal footing as every organism
2. Single best idea in science
   - Theory considered one of the best concepts developed by human kind; Vast influence in different disciplines

Question 2

Describe how Darwin developed his Theory of Evolution (4)

Answer 2

• He won a scholarly prize to board a ship that was to map the borders and observe the wildlife in South America (five years)
• He went to the Galapagos islands, a string of islands made of volcanos that have exploded.
• He noticed different types of finches on each island; Observed how the isolated birds were required to adapt to new conditions for survival, developing different characteristics as a result despite being the same species.
• He wondered how this occurred - came to theorize that they shared a common ancestor blown from S. America. From there, the idea of evolution began.

Question 3

What is the essence of evolution?

Answer 3

If Variation leads to Heredity, which leads to Natural Selection–than Evolution must have been designed out of chaos

Question 4

Why did Charles Darwin insist on postponing the publication of his theory? (2)

Answer 4

• Darwin held off on publishing his book as long as he could as he was worried of what it could do to society
• A completely valid concern as his ideas ultimately led to the first and second war

Question 5

What is functionalism? How did Social Darwinism affect it? (2)

Answer 5

• (William James) Mental processes (like consciousness) evolved because they serve adaptive functions—helping humans survive and thrive.
• James’ ideas lost favour because they became associated with Social Darwinism, a controversial theory that misapplied Darwin’s ideas about evolution to justify social hierarchies and inequalities (eugenics; “survival of the fittest”)

Question 6

Social Darwinism & Herbert Spencer (3)

Answer 6

• Spencer saw evolutions as a concept that applied to both our social and physical world
• Coined the phrase “survival of the fittest”
• Used principles of Natural Selection to justify the exploitation of poor working class.

Question 7

What did Sir Francis Galton begin? What did he attempt to base public policy on?

Answer 7

• Eugenics movement
• The concept of genetically superior and inferior people

Question 8

Answer in a Sociobiological perspective: Why are so many of us unhappy? (2)

Answer 8

Our capacities have evolved in the context of our hunter-gatherer history; they were not made to fit in the context of mega metropolises

Evolved in a different world — to deal with the stressors of being eaten by an animal, not being stressed about debt or work

Question 9

What does evolutionary psychology allow us to do?

Answer 9

Provides a way to understand the human mind and complex behaviour from an evolutionary perspective