Module 15: Evolutionary Psychology: Understanding Human Nature

Question 1

Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 1

The study of the evolution of behavior & the mind, using natural selection

Question 2

Natural Selection

Answer 2

The principle that, among the range of inherit trait variations, those contributing to reproduction & survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Question 3

What are the principles of Natural Selection?

Answer 3

• Organisms varied offspring compete for survival
• Certain biological & behavioral variations increase an organism’s reproductive & survival chances in their environment
• Offsprings that survive are more likely to pass their genes to future generations
• Over time population characteristics may change

Question 4

Mutation

Answer 4

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change

• doesn’t always result in a change
• some increase change for survival (increased resistance to malaria) ; decrease chance (cystic fibrosis)

Question 5

What wires our brains?

Answer 5

Genes & experiences wire the brain

- our adaptive flexibility in responding to different environments contributes to an organism’s fitness

Question 6

Fitness

Answer 6

Our ability to survive & reproduce

*note: does not mean literally physical strength

Question 7

What percentage of genetic influences are caused by population group differences?

Answer 7

5 % of genetic differences are caused by population group differences
- the other 95% are comprised of behavioral & biological similares caused by our shared human genome

Question 8

What enabled us to progress beyond the stone age?

Answer 8

success-enhancing genes continued through generations allowing for behavioral tendencies, thinking, and learning capacities to be passed down
- success genes allowed for survival & reproduction

Question 9

True or False: Humanity has a “universal moral code”

Answer 9

True: it stems from the instinctual drive to survive and from living in small groups where direct harm was punishable
- universal human tendencies: parental care, shared fears (heights, snakes, spiders), and lust

Question 10

According to surveys do men or women have stronger sex drive, think about sex more, masturbate more, and initiate more sex, and view more porn?

Answer 10

Men

Question 11

What do men have a lower threshold for? What can it cause?

Answer 11

Men have a lower threshold for perceiving warm responses as a sexual come-on and mistake women’s kindness as interest
- can cause sexual harassment and date rape

Question 12

How do men and women approach relationships according to evolutionary psychologists?

Answer 12

Men see relationships more recreational - sleep with more women to increase chance of spreading their genes
- look for fertile looking women (youthful, waist 1/3 narrower then hips)
Women see relationships more relational - pick a mate that will increase survival rate and long term sustainability
- look for men with strength, financial stability, and potential for parental care (ex. looked at baby photos)
Slim waists, tall, broad shoulders, mature, dominant, & bold

Question 13

What are some criticisms evolutionary psychology’s perspective on sexuality?

Answer 13

• try to explain today’s behavior with decisions made thousands of years ago
• there are social consequences to accepting evolutionary explanations
• neglects important influences on human sexuality
• rejects genetic determinism
• reverse approach (starts with effect then cause)
• overlook social & cultural influences
• provides excuses for sexual behavior (pedophilia, sexual harassment, rape)

Question 14

What is evolutionary psychologist’s response to criticisms?

Answer 14

They say that it’s important to know the basics of our behavior in order to overcome them. Also states that people aren’t bound to the descriptions.

• much of who we are is NOT hardwired.. genes are NOT destiny
• Men & women are far more alike than different
• some traits and behaviors are hard to explain in terms of natural selection

Question 15

What are somethings that evolutionary psychology can not explain?

Answer 15

Can not explain same sex attraction or suicide

Question 16

What can evolutionary psychology do?

Answer 16

Predict male female mating strategies and human memory well suited to information regarding survival

Question 17

Remember 2

Answer 17

“Differences initiated by our nature may be amplified by our nurture” ; Gender roles shape us but we aren’t defined at birth to them

Question 18

What has changed in regards to “gender” and gender roles?

Answer 18

Overtime as jobs typically performed by males were seen completed by females these roles lead to changes in seeking a mate
“As the roles we play change over time, we change with them”

Question 19

Nature or Nurture?

Answer 19

Nature VIA Nurture

- works in a cycle; they effect each-other

Question 20

What does the biopsychosocial approach suggest about about nature & nurture?

Answer 20

The biopsychosocial approach suggest that we are the product of nature and nurture together but we are not bound to it. For instance people’s genes may want a person to reproduce but they could choose celibacy.Or culture could want them to do something, like peer pressure, but they do the opposite of what is expected of them.

Question 21

Remember 3

Answer 21

Since we are the product of today but we aren’t limited to it our changes constructs the future environment

Question 22

Occam’s Razor

Answer 22

The simplest of explanations is probably the right one

- pick the simplest of competing complicated explanations.

Question 23

What research did Belyaev and Trut conduct?

Answer 23

They bred the tamest foxes and after 40 years were able to produce docile/domesticated animals.

Significants: psychological traits can be selected as well as physical traits!

Question 24

What are social scripts?

Answer 24

Social psychologist believe differences between male and female sexuality differences is more the result of social scripts: a culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations

Question 25

Describe the biopsychosocial approach to development

Answer 25

Biological: shared human genome; individual variation; prenatal environment; and sex-related genes, hormones, and physiology
Psychological: gene-environment interactions; effect of early experiences on neural networks; responses evoked by our own characteristics ; and personal beliefs, feelings, and expectations
Social-cultural: parental and peer influences, cultural traditions and values. and cultural gender norms