Evolutionary Psychiatry

Question 1

Define natural selection

Answer 1

The differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotype

Question 2

Define fitness

Answer 2

How successful an organism at reproducing

Question 3

Evolution: what are Tinbergen’s questions

Answer 3

1. ) Mechanism: how does this behaviour occur in an individual?
2. ) Development: how does this behaviour arise in an individual?
3. ) Evolution: how does this behaviour arise in the species?
4. ) Adaptive value: why is this behaviour adaptive for the species?

Question 4

What are pathways that mediate the influence of evoluntionary processes on disease vulnerability

Answer 4

1. ) Mismatch: exposure to things such as alcohol/drugs
2. ) Life history factors: e.g. reproduction
3. ) Excessive defence mechanisms

Question 5

What is Dunbar’s number?

Answer 5

This is the cognitive number of people with whom one can maintain stable social relationships