Lecture 14 & 15 - Evolutionary Psychology Flashcards
What are three components of Darwin’s theory of evolution?
Heredity: what is passed on from one generation to the next.
Variability: variance in characteristics, as some are more desirable.
Natural selection: survival of the fittest.
What are four physical aspects of evolution that are observable?
- Adaptations: characteristics that developed due to survival or aiding in reproduction (umbilical cord).
- By-products: characteristics that serve no purpose; by-products of adaptations (belly button).
- Noise: random effects generated from genetic drift and random mutation, with no purpose.
- Exaptation: use of features in different than intended ways, e.g. birds used wings for heat regulation, but then flight.
What is the Standard Social Science Model (SSSM)? How does evolutionary psychology challenge this?
SSSM assumes that the mind is a blank slate at birth. All behaviour is learned through the environment.
EP defies this by arguing that evolution shaped human behaviour. The mind, at birth, already has a number of functioning cognitive processes.
What is evidence for the evolutionary psychology view?
Crucial neural circuits began dominant due to natural selection, as they were vital to solve problems. Many of these processes are unconscious and perceived as easy, but are complicated neurobiological processes (sight).
What are the problems with getting to a point where reproduction is possible?
- Food selection: appropriate food for consumption without poisoning.
- Taste aversion: poor tasting/smelling indicates that they are dangerous.
- Morning sickness: removing and avoiding teratogens. Most nauseating foods have higher levels of toxins.
- Behavioural Immune System: cultural norms that protect us (covering mouth) and signs to avoid (facial blemishes) for survival -> conformists > non-conformists.
What evidence is there supporting the Behavioural Immune System?
- Participants were asked when they last felt vulnerable to disease, physical damage or just the day before. Then asked about feelings of conformity. Those primed with vulnerable disease had more positive feelings of conformity than other groups.
- Similar study but asked to place penny in a jar with 20 other pennies or a jar with 3. Those primed with infectious diseases put it in the 20 jar significantly more than control.
What is parental investment?
The investment by a parent in an individual offspring that increase it’s chance of survival and reproduction at the cost of the parent’s ability to invest in other offspring.
What is the female reproduction strategy?
Eggs are more expensive and limited, so selection is key. Physical features, which suggest capacity to provide, and behavioural features, such as parental skills, are best for the future of any offspring. Small gain from multiple partners.
What is the male reproduction strategy?
Less to lose, so they are less selective (sperm is cheap), and everything to gain from multiple partners. Some concern over mates, but mostly will take any sexual encounter and compete fiercely with other males. Male reproduction is also largely varied, some will breed multiple times while others will never.
