Evolutionary Psychology Flashcards
What is evolutionary psychology?
The study of how our minds and behaviors have been shaped by evolutionary forces over thousands of generations.
What are the two key mechanisms of evolution from a psychological perspective?
Natural selection and sexual selection
How does natural selection operate on the mind?
Traits/tendencies that increased survival and reproduction became more prevalent over time.
Give an example of a psychological trait arising from natural selection.
The “negativity bias” that makes humans focus more on threats/dangers for survival.
What is sexual selection?
The evolution of traits that increase mating success, even if costly for survival (e.g. colourful birds)
Give an example of a human trait likely shaped by sexual selection
Physical attractiveness cues that signal health and fertility.
What is meant by “gene-environment interaction”?
Genes can produce different effects/traits depending on the environmental context.
How can culture influence the evolutionary process?
Cultural practices and norms shape which psychological traits get selected for.
Give an example showing interplay of genes, environment and culture.
Serotonin transporter gene frequencies varying based on agricultural practices.
Specifically, the short allele of the serotonin transporter gene is associated with increased sensitivity to social cues. In ancestral East Asian populations that practiced labor-intensive rice farming, this genetic variant became more prevalent compared to European populations.
What is kin selection theory?
We behave altruistically towards relatives to propagate shared genes indirectly.
What causes the “environment of evolutionary adaptedness” mismatch?
Our modern environments differ drastically from ancestral environments our mind evolved for.
Give an example of this evolutionary mismatch causing problems
Processed, calorie-rich modern diets conflicting with hunger/satiety adaptations.
How can understanding evolution provide insight into universal human nature?
By revealing the roots of shared psychological tendencies across cultures
How does evolution explain diversity in human psychology and behavior?
Adaptations arise contingent on specific ancestral environments and selection pressures.
What are some potential wider implications of an evolutionary perspective?
Guiding child-rearing, education, workplace norms in line with our evolutionary roots.
