CH 3 Evolution & Psychology (TERMS) Flashcards
Theory of Evolution (1,2)
- Charles Darwin
Theory about the creation of life that is governed by natural causes that occur over unimaginable tracts of time
- A theory about who we are
Variation
There will be something unique with every offspring; There are similarities, but they are not going to be complete carbon copies of their parents
Heredity (1,1)
Offspring share similarities to parents
- Variations that produce advantageous traits can be passed down to the next generation
Natural selection (1,1)
Organisms well adapted to their environment will produce more offspring over time than those less well adapted.
- Advantageous trait can be passed down (heredity) and help animals compete with natural selection; helps species thrive
Social Darwinism
Evolution shapes society and social systems.
Eugenics Movement
- Sir Francis Galton
- Interested in how and why people differ in abilities
- Believed genius and/or talent is inherited; a person’s intelligence contributed to their moral worth (personal value in society)
Eugenics
The study of improving the human species by applying evolutionary theory to encouraging biologically superior people to interbreed while discouraging biologically inferior people from having offspring.
Environmental Determinism (1,3)
- “Tabula rasa” = Blank slate
The idea that the physical environment controls human activities, development, and growth
- Supported by Behaviourists
Sociobiology (2,2)
A hybrid of various disciplines that attempts to explain social behaviours in animal species as influenced by evolutionary processes
Provides a way to understand the human mind and behaviour from an evolutionary perspective.
- Evolutionary processes will allow for capacities to evolve in certain contexts
- Developed to counter the extreme environmental determinism beliefs
