L4 - Evolution of the Social Brain Flashcards
Why do we do crazy things?
Because we live in groups. The most common factor in environments are other humans, they can help/hurt you.
What is Kin Selection?
- Selfish behaviours will be favoured by selection if costs are less than the benefits discounted by the relatedness between actor and recipient
What is Hamilton’s Rule?
What will the probability be that you share that gene with me, if the gene gets passed on, i will be nicer
What is inclusive fitness?
No. of offspring equivalents that an individual rears, rescues or otherwise supports through its behaviour
Do you have to know you are related?
No, depending on the group, the people you see most will be helped most.
What is Reciprocal Altruism? Why do it?
- Generous to someone you are not related to
- Opportunity for frequent interactions: they can give back
- Keep track of give/take: are they taking advantage
Why is cooperation and group selection important?
- Indirectly beneficial e.g Tribe protects kids
- Some genes will benefit the kids, and be passed down
- If separated from tribe, you could die.
- Natural selection operates at level of groups, genes that support an instinct to help the tribe proliferate
What is gene-culture coevolution?
Cultural features that benefited survival/expansion became widespread, changing genetic selection as env changed.
What does our behaviour in groups determine?
- who has sex with whom?
- what helps offspring survive
- those individuals most successful at having successful offspring have a stronger genetic influence on next gen
What is naturally fallacy?
Fallacy to assume what is natural is also good/inevitable
BUT do not dismiss things because they have an evolutionary explanation e.g generosity
What are the two levels of explanation?
- Proximal: immediate motivation
- Ultimate: cost benefit analysis
e.g
I like dancing = p
Dancing affects mating = u - Humans have a third which is social norm
