Evolutionary Social Psychology

Question 1

Darwin’s theory of evolution

Answer 1

1- Vary in traits (adaptations) 2- inherit traits 3- prevalent traits promote reproduction and survival (natural selection)

Question 2

evolution and learning/environment

Answer 2

predisposed to certain developmental outcomes

Question 3

Fixed action pattern

Answer 3

Hardwired behaviour which once triggered are run to completion

Question 4

20th century explained human behaviour through

Answer 4

learning, culture/context, rationality

Question 5

When did evolutionary social psychology occur

Answer 5

70/80

Question 6

What are the costs of group living

Answer 6

exploitation, threat to safety and disease transmission

Question 7

what is the mechanism that generates adaptive behaviour

Answer 7

functionally specialised (domain-specific) mechanisms

Question 8

What is the proximate explanation

Answer 8

mechanisms

Question 9

What is the ultimate explanation

Answer 9

function and evolutionary origins

Question 10

what is the pregnancy sickness example?

Answer 10

function- heighten senses
ultimate- avoid toxins / protect embryos (Profet, 1992)

Question 11

Heredity

Answer 11

adaptive mechanisms most humans process influenced by environment

Question 12

Heritability

Answer 12

proportion of variation explained by genetic variation

Question 13

kin selection theory

Answer 13

altruistic behaviour towards close genetic relative

Question 14

reciprocal altruism

Answer 14

benifit potential recipients (punish cheats)

Question 15

Parental investment theory

Answer 15

one sex choosier so other more competeivive

Question 16

Inbreeding avoidance

Answer 16

reducess success so avoid (inbreeding depression)

Question 17

what adaptation past are now maladaptation

Answer 17

prefer sweet, salt and fatty foods
fear snakes, spiders and heights
draw lines between in group and out group

Question 18

error management theory

Answer 18

bias to jump to conclusions about stimuli leading to more false positives to prevent false negatives

Question 19

examples of EMT

Answer 19

physiological - pathogen vs pollen
psychological - disease vs disfigurement (Ryan et al)
fear of animals
men sexual over perception
agency (witchcraft)
positive illusions (talent)

Question 20

Which type of hypothesis do ESP focus on

Answer 20

functional evolutionary rather then historical evolutionary

Question 21

What is an example of a trade off for reproduction

Answer 21

testosterone- more attractive to females at cost of energy and immune system

Question 22

reproductive fitness (inclusive fitness)

Answer 22

successful reproduction of genes (so may help siblings as child possess 25% of genes)

Question 23

Two main ways of gaining status

Answer 23

dominance and prestige