Chapter 15- evolutionary psychology (Buss)

Question 1

What is artificial selection?

Answer 1

When humans select traits that they want in a species

Question 2

What is natural selection?

Answer 2

When nature selects the traits in a species through what helps the species survive the most

Question 3

What is sexual selection?

Answer 3

When the opposite sex of a species is attracted to specific traits, those who have those traits are more likely to breed and produce offspring

Question 4

Describe 5 personality traits as evolved mechanisms

Answer 4

Extraversion- more likely to reproduce since they were more powerful, ambitious, and likely to initiate relationships
Agreeableness- more likely to cooperate within a group and help resolve conflict, which helps the species to survive
Emotional stability/neuroticism- Being calm under stress is necessary and adaptive. Being anxious also helps a species survive, as they are more aware of danger
Conscientiousness- Adaptive as people who are conscientious are dependable and detailed-oriented, allowing them to assign certain people with different tasks to help with survival
Openness- Those who were open were more likely to try new things, and therefore were explorers in ancestral history. They explored new territories and foraged for food.

Question 5

What are some reasons why humans aren’t more similar if the adaptive traits for one are the same as for others?

Answer 5

1. Random variation in genes
2. Diversity is necessary for a species to remain viable
3. There’s cost and benefits for each trait (extraversion- more mating but also higher risk taking)
4. Environmental influences
5. Frequency dependent selection (psychopathy is only adaptive in small numbers)