Evolutionary Psychology

Two Different Approaches to Psychology SSSM

Standard Social Science Model

EPEvolutionary

Psychology

Major ContrastSSSM

All is LearnedNo instinctsGeneral ProcessorCulture transcends

biology

EPSome is innateInstincts ModularityBiology builds,

influences, and constrains culture

EP PrinciplesAssumptions

Humans Evolved Theory of Natural selection

Traits vary across generations Traits that promote survival & reproduction

naturally selected Naturally Selected traits passed on to next

generation Applied to Brain and Behavior

Social Behavior as set of AdaptationsMethods and Topics: Reverse Engineering

Important Evolutionary Changes for Humans

Bipedalism Frees up the hands

Climbing Throwing

Opposable Thumbs Dexterity Tools

Big BrainsLanguageComplex Emotions & Social BehaviorConsciousness?

Example of EP Research:Mate selection

Physical Attractiveness : More important for males

Example of EP Research:Mate selection

Physical Attractiveness : More important for males

Financial Status: More important for females

Example of EP Research:Logical Thinking

Wason Selection Task

RULE: If a D is on one side, there must be a 3 on the other side.

D F 3 7

beer cola 25 16

Instincts: Depth Perception

Violence: Homicide86% homicides committed by malesMost victims maleNo society in which females > malesWhy do men kill?‘altercations’

2 x rate for domestic quarrels 5 x rate for robberies

Culture ?Status and Honor: adaptations related to mate

selection

What about culture?

A Scientific American article (June 1999) accounts for the high murder rates in the South on the grounds of a "culture of honor". A white man living in a small county in the South is four times more likely to kill than one living in a small county in the Midwest. Southerners showed higher levels of cortisol and testosterone in response to an insult. Murder rates due to arguments are higher in the South and Southwest, but murder rates associated with felony (robbery or burglary) are lower

MisinterpretationsGenes are not Blueprints (do not determine)Genes more like recipes (guide) & triggers EP is not Biological DeterminismEP is not

Genes + EnvironmentEP IS

Genes x EnvironmentCULTURE (Environment) matters!

Applications of EP: Brains, Intelligence, Talent

Human Cognitive ability and design

Spandrels

Applications of EP: Brains, Intelligence, Talent

Human Cognitive ability and designWe were NOT designed to do all that we can

do!Exaptations

Applications of EP: Brains, Intelligence, Talent

Human Cognitive ability and designWe were NOT designed to do all that we can

do!Exaptations

Race, Cultural Differences and Intelligence

Applications of EP: Brains, Intelligence, Talent

Human Cognitive ability and designWe were NOT designed to do all that we can

do!Exaptations

Race, Cultural Differences and IntelligenceGender

Applications of EP: Brains, Intelligence, Talent

Human Cognitive ability and designWe were NOT designed to do all that we can

do!Exaptations

Race, Cultural Differences and IntelligenceGenderTalent and Success: Geniuses made or born?

Inherited?Learned?

Success Factors

10,000 hour ruleContextInfluence

ParentsPeersOthers

Luck!

More ApplicationsPersonality

PsychopathologyDesmond Morris The Human ZooImpact of technology

Social Media