evolution Flashcards
define adaptations
evolved solutions to problems that historically contributed to reproductive success
define error management theory (EMT)
A theory of selection under conditions of uncertainty in which recurrent cost asymmetries of judgment or inference favor the evolution of adaptive cognitive biases that function to minimize the more costly errors.
define evolution
change over time driven by successful reproduction through natural selection
define gene selection theory
modern theory of evolution by selection by which differential gene replication is the defining process of evolutionary change
define intersexual selection
A process of sexual selection by which evolution (change) occurs as a consequences of the mate preferences of one sex exerting selection pressure on members of the opposite sex.
define intrasexual competition
A process of sexual selection by which members of one sex compete with each other, and the victors gain preferential mating access to members of the opposite sex.
define natural selection
differential reproductive success as a consequence of differences in heritable attributes
define psychological adaptations
mechanisms of the mind that evolved to solve specific problems of survival or reproduction; conceptualized as information processing devices
define sexual selection
the evolution of characteristics because of the mating advantage they give organisms
define sexual strategies theory
A comprehensive evolutionary theory of human mating that defines the menu of mating strategies humans pursue
______ are the basic information that is passed along in DNA that tells cells and molecules how to “build” an organism and how that organism should behave
genes
Fitness in evolutionary psychology refers to…
reproductive success
what are the two large classes of adaptations?
