Evolutionary Explanations Flashcards
What is evolution?
Change over time in living organisms of heritable characteristics
What do evolutionary psychologists explain?
How certain human behaviours are the result of the development of our species over time
What does the theory of evolution state?
By natural selection, organisms are better adapted to pass on genes (survival of the fittest)
What is a mechanism of behaviour and why was it evolved?
Disgust is a mechanism of behaviour and was evolved for pathogen avoidance
Why is this mechanism useful to human survival?
Humans who avoid disease are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on advantageous genetic traits
What is disgust?
Feeling of revulsion, strong disapproval aroused by something unpleasant or offensive
Who is most sensitive to disgust?
People with lowered immune systems
Evolutionary explanations strengths
- Studies conducted to support studies
Evolutionary explanations limitations
- Based on assumption that behaviours are inherited (difficult to know the extent of inheritance)
- As it is tested empirically, researchers may be susceptible to confirmation bias
- Highly artificial and lacks ecological validity
- Often involves animal participants, the extent to which we can generalise results to humans is debatable
- Underestimates role of cultural influences
Evolutionary explanations limitations
- Based on assumption that behaviours are inherited (difficult to know the extent of inheritance)
- As it is tested empirically, researchers may be susceptible to confirmation bias
- Highly artificial and lacks ecological validity
- Often involves animal participants, the extent to which we can generalise results to humans is debatable
- Underestimates role of cultural influences
