6.) Examine one evolutionary explanation of behavior.
- Darwin's Theory of Evolution - Those best adapted to their environment will survive to reproduce
- Developed idea of natural selection - those better adapted are able to breed
- Says evolution passes on genes that regulate behavior (bring in stuff from the previous question for bonus points -> Genes affect behavior!)
- Studies that support his theory:
Results: Chimps had better memory
Significance: Humans don't need spacial memory as much as chimps, hence why humans show less ability
* Fessler (2006) - Tested men and women online with repulsive images to look for patterns
Methods: Showed pictures of both infectious and non-infectious diseases to 77,000 ppl from 165 countries (EXTREME VALIDITY!!! :) )
Results: Strongest disgust was correlated with pictures of infectious diseases, and disgust increased with age, plus women tended to be more disgusted than men
Significance: Disgust of that which is dangerous (infectious), especially when old with weak immune system or potentially carrying a child for women - all these show survival adaptations
You may also want to explain a bit about general "Evolutionary Psychology" (EP)
2. Evolutionary Psychology
- The brain is a system that generates behavior that fits one's environment (bring in neuroplasticity if you have time!!!!)
- Evolution is the development of solutions to adaptive problems
ex. Culture -> plays a part in evolution!!!, way to survive (safety in numbers, passage of info, teamwork)
Only one study to support this one:
* Patricia Kuhl - investigated language acquisition
- Language acquisition doesn't prove pre-wired language understanding
- We are born with the ability to learn language
- Babies have skills to learn and neuroplasticity
- Infants have an innate ability to perceive basic units of speech
- A child's language development is not-selectionist
Along with the actual theory, you must also discuss difficulties/weaknesses of Evolutionary Psychology:
- Conformation bias - see what we want to see
- Statements about previous human behavior are shaky and hypothetical (no physical evidence or examples)
- Evolutionary arguments often underestimate role of culture in shaping behavior