chapter 9: evolutionary theories in psychology

Question 1

error management theory

Answer 1

a theory that explains how individuals navigate uncertainty by prioritizing decisions that help them avoid significant mistakes

Question 2

adaptations

Answer 2

evolved solutions to problems that historically contributed to reproductive success

Question 3

evolution

Answer 3

a change over time

Question 4

gene selection theory

Answer 4

the modern theory of evolution by selection by which gene replication is the defining process of evolutionary change

Question 5

intersexual selection

Answer 5

a process of sexual selection in which one sex chooses mates based on desirable traits influencing the evolution of those traits

Question 6

intrasexual competition

Answer 6

a process of sexual selection by which members of one sex compete with eachother and the victor gains preferential mating access to the members of the opposite sex

Question 7

natural selection

Answer 7

the process by which traits better for survival and reproduction increase in frequency driving the evolution of species

Question 8

psychological adaptations

Answer 8

mental traits that evolve to solve the specific problems of survival and reproduction

Question 9

sexual selection

Answer 9

the evolution of characteristics because they give mating advantages to organisms

Question 10

sexual strategies theory

Answer 10

evolutionary theory of human mating that defines the menu of mating strategies humans pursue, the adaptive problems women and men face when pursuing these strategies.