Chapter 4 Flashcards
What is the Standard social science model? (SSSM)
Summary of current thoughts about human nature.
- The mind is seen as a blank slate
- Everything adult knows has been learned
- Small number of general learning mechanisms that account for all learning humans can do.
Why is the Standard social science model challenged?
- No reasons to assume natural selection has not shaped brain.
- No sound argument to deny biology
- Mind/brain is evolved in context just like the rest of the body.
- Biological influences not necessarily deterministic.
What is Facultative adaptations?
An adaptation that is designed to respond to specific cues in the environment.
Experience-Expectant learning mechanism?
Learning mechanism that is designed to respond to species-typical environmental input.
-usually during critical period.
Critical Period?
The time period in development during which a specific kind of learning can take place if the necessary stimuli are present.
Sensitive period?
Time period in development during which a specific kind of learning takes place most easily.
Experience-Dependent learning mechanism?
Learning mechanism that responds to individual specific information.
Norm of Reaction?
The relationship between a specific environmental factor and a measurable phenotypic expression.
Prepared learning?
Learning that is easier to induce than a random paired association would be.
What is the fallacy of exclusive determinism?
- Our desire to identify single causes of events
- We like to simplify and use mental shortcuts
- Is an adaptive part of human psychology.
Gene-Environment interactions
-Benefits of flexibility.
- Being born immature and yet equipped with learning mechanisms has tremendous evolutionary advantages.
- Optimized development with current environments.
- Genes prepare us but environment also works alongside it.
What are Facultative Adaptations?
adaptations that responds to specific cues in the environment.
