Lecture 1

Question 1

Philosophy: what does humans apart from nature suggest?

Answer 1

That although animal behaviour is interesting, it is not relevant to the explanation of human behaviour

Question 2

Philosophy: what does human as part of nature suggest?

Answer 2

animal behaviour is highly relevant to explain human behaviour

Question 3

When was natural history recognised as a subject?

Answer 3

early 17th century

Question 4

When was Darwin born/died?

Answer 4

1809-1882

Question 5

Darwins ‘conversion’

What 5 lines of evidence are important?

Answer 5

1. homologies
2. fossil record
3. embryological similarities
4. vestigial organs
5. animal distribution patterns

Question 6

What is homologies?

Answer 6

same structure of characteristics seen in a variety of animals suggesting they share the same ancestors

Question 7

Animal distribution: what is adaptive ration?

Answer 7

single ancestral type, overtime animals on different island (same type) specialise different types of food therefore evolve to best be able to eat this food

Question 8

What is the essence of natural selection?

Answer 8

• some nature variation in heritable
• populations sable over time, despite reproductive potential
• pop stability suggests competition over scarce resources

=’struggle for existence’
=’survival of the fittest’

Question 9

What did neo-Darwinism suggest?

Answer 9

Darwin developed his theory in the absence of any knowledge of genetics

Question 10

What are Tinbergen’s 4 question?

Answer 10

• causation eg hormones
• development eg learning
• function eg mate attraction
• evolution eg ancestry