Exam 1 Flashcards
Evolution
The change in heribtable traits of a population over successive generations
3 things for natural selection
- Individuals not identical
- Some differences are inherited
- not all offspring survive
How natural selection pressures favor brain development
-brain is subject to evolutionary pressure and produces behavior
the more suited an individual is for his/her environment, the better the individual will be at…
- finding food
- securing a mate
- fending off predators and challengers for food and mates
Nut storing birds have larger
hippocampi
Pine Voles
Monogamous, equal small roaming areas w/ no gender differences in the hippocampus of the brain
Meadow Voles
polygamous, males have larger territories to patrol than females and males have a bigger hippocampus
Altruism
the principle or practice of concern for the welfare of others, selflessness
Why is altruism a problem for evolutionary theory?
it doesn’t make evolutionary sense, there should only be rational self-interest
2 Evolutionary Theories
Kin Selection, Reciprocal Altruism
Kin Selection
aiding the passage of genes to the next generations, favoring the reproductive success of relatives
Reciprocal Altruism
not really altruism, more like cooperation
Dictator Game
Pure Altruism b/c responder doesn’t have chance to respond
Ultimatum Game
Strategic thinking in 2 player bargaining
Prisoner’s Dilemma
Measures altruism when people should really betray, 0 sum game, people are more cooperative than you’d expect
