Unit 4.2: Evolutionary perspectives on personality

Question 1

Why do most adaptations in the evolutionary process happen?

Answer 1

to solve a particular adaptive problem
-> different problems different solutions

Question 2

What does our mind contain?

Answer 2

a large number of mechanisms

Question 3

What are our psychological mechanisms designed to do?

Answer 3

accomplish particular adaptive tasks

Question 4

Why do evolutionary scientists suggest that understanding adaptive function is critical?

Answer 4

to gain insight in our evolved psychological mechanisms

Question 5

What is human nature for evolutionary psychology?

Answer 5

primary product of evolutionary process
-> consists of various successful mechanisms that spread through the population
-> set of tools to discover human nature component

Question 6

Some evolutionary hypothesis on human nature

Answer 6

Need to belong
Helping and Altruism
Universal emotions
-> if all humans share adaptation, it’s likely a a part of human nature

Question 7

Is every mechanism equally present in all humans?

Answer 7

no, there are group differences (between sexes for example)

Question 8

How can we explain individual differences using evolutionary theory?

Answer 8

Environmental triggers of individual differences (env. differences acting on species-typical psych. mechanisms)
Heritable individual differences contingent on other traits
Frequency dependent selection (how often is a trait present in population)
Optimum level of traits can vary over time and space

Question 9

Evolutionary perspective and big 5

Answer 9

stable differences in five-factor model as individual differences in solutions to adaptive problems
major factors of personality as clusters of most important features of adaptive landscape