CH1: Evolutionary Theories in Psychology Flashcards
Adaptations
Evolved solutions to problems that historically contributed to reproductive success.
Error Management Theory (EMT)
A theory of selection under conditions of uncertainty in which recurrent cost asymmetries of judgement or inference favor the evolution of adaptive cognitive biases that function to minimize the more costly errors.
Evolution
Change over time. Is the definition changing?
Gene Selection Theory
The modern theory of evolution by selection by which differential gene replication is the defining process of evolutionary change.
What is Intersexual Selection?
Competition between individuals of different sexes, where one sex (usually females) chooses mates based on their traits (e.g., female preference for certain male displays).
Peahens (females) attracted to Peacocks (males) plumage.
What is intrasexual Competition?
Intra means within
a type of sexual selection where there is competition between individuals of the same sex for mates (e.g., male-male combat).
Physical competition: Males compete physically to gain access to females.
Sperm competition: Sperm from different males compete inside the female’s reproductive tract.
Scramble competition: Males race to be the first to reach the female.
Contest competition: Multiple males compete for the same female.
What is Natural Selection?
a process that explains how organisms that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This process is a key mechanism of evolution.
Variation: Organisms within a species are not identical. This variation can be due to random mutations that occur when cells divide.
Inheritance: When organisms reproduce, they pass on their DNA to their offspring.
Selection: Organisms with traits that give them an advantage are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Time and adaptation: Over time, the advantageous traits become more common in the population
What is Sexual Selection Theory
The evolution of characteristics, not because of survival advantage, but because of MATING ADVANTAGE. (emphasizes traits that provide a mating advantage).
Psychological Adaptations
Mechanisms of the mind that evolved to solve specific problems of survival or reproduction; conceptualized as information processing devices.
Sexual Strategies Theory
A comprehensive evolutionary theory of human mating that define the menu of mating strategies humans pursue (e.g., short-term casual sex, long-term committed mating).
Evolutionary Psychology
connects evolutionary principles with modern psychology and focuses primarily on psychological adaptations.
Define the primary mechanisms by which evolution takes place?
Natural Selection: traits enhancing reproductive success, not survival success.
Sexual Selection: traits providing mating advantage.
Identify the 2 Major Classes of adaptations
Psychological Adaptation: traits/behaviors that have evolved to solve specific survival or reproductive challenges
Physiological Adaptations: physical changes in an organism that enhance survival (like a callus that forms on the foot).
What does “evolution” mean?
Change over time.
Define Sexual Selection and its two primary processes
________: traits that enhance mating advantage.
Its two primary processes are: Intrasexual Competition and Intersexual Selection.
Define Gene Selection Theory
The modern explanation behind evolutionary biology occurs through the desire for gene replication.
Understand Psychological Adaptations
Identify the core premises of Sexual Strategies Theory
Identify the core premises of Error Management Theory, and provide two empirical examples of Adaptive Cognitive Bias.
Adaptive Cognitive Bias
refers to the idea that certain cognitive biases, which might seem illogical or irrational at first glance, have evolved to help humans make quick, practical decisions in complex situation
Adaptations
traits or behaviors that evolved over time to increase our reproductive success.
Survival Adaptations
The first class of adaptations:
Mechanisms that helped our ancestors handle the “hostile forces of nature”. i.e., to survive very hot temperatures, we developed sweat glands to cool ourselves. (for physical survival)
Sexual Selection Theory
The second class of adaptations:
are for reproduction, and help us compete for mates. These adaptations are descried in an Evolutionary Theory proposed by Charles Darwin called…
Theory of Sexual Selection
The evolution of characteristics, not because of survival advantage, but because of mating advantage.
________________ occurs through Intrasexual competition and intersexual selection.
Sexual Selection
Mutual Mate Choice
Both men and women typically have a say in choosing their mates, unlike other animals where one sex has dominant control over mate choice.
What two ways can genes boost their own replicative success?
- They can influence the odds for Survival and Reproduction of the organism they’re in (individual reproductive success or fitness - screaming sloths).
- Genes can also influence the organism to help other organisms who also likely contain the same genes (“genetic relatives”).
“Genetic Relatives”
Genes can also influence the organism to help other organisms who also likely contain the same genes (“genetic relatives”) - to survive and reproduce (which is called Inclusive Fitness). i.e., parents paying for their child’s education, so they can become successful in life, be attractive to find a mate, and reproduce.
