role of evolution in human behaviour

• Who is the founder of evolutionary psychology?

  Charles Darwin
• What does evolution refer to in the context of evolutionary psychology?


  Changes in heritable characteristics over generations
• What is natural selection?

  Process where better-adapted organisms survive
• How did the human brain evolve according to evolutionary psychology?

  To serve adaptive functions for survival
• What does EEA stand for?

  Environment of evolutionary adaptiveness
• What does the EEA represent?

  Conditions where a species evolved to survive
• What do pathologists gather evidence through?

  Archaeology
• What insight does archaeology provide?

  How our ancestors lived
• What does anthropology study?

  Life in hunter-gatherer societies
• What is a key aspect of evolutionary determinants of human behavior?

  Mate selection
• What physical trait indicates female reproductive capability?

  Hourglass figure after puberty
• What does a slim waist indicate in evolutionary psychology?

  Absence of pregnancy
• Why can't a pregnant female be impregnated again?

  She is already carrying offspring
• What do wrinkles indicate in terms of reproductive capability?

  Post-menopausal status
• What traits do women generally prefer in men?

  Wealth, height, dominance, good looks
• Why do women prefer men with good teeth and skin?

  Indicates resources for child care
• What evolutionary determinant influences human diet?

  Craving sweet and fatty foods
• Why do people crave high-calorie foods?

  High calorie tolerance evolved for survival
• What foods do people generally not crave?

  Low-calorie foods like lettuce and rice
• How does evolution explain aggression?

  Aids survival and increases reproduction chances
• What are some reasons for aggression in early humans?

  Gaining territory and resources
• What is another reason for aggression related to defense?

  Protecting against predators and attackers
• How does sexual jealousy relate to aggression?

  Males defend females from rivals
• What role does aggression play in social hierarchies?

  Establishes strength and higher status
• Who held power in early human societies?

  Chiefs, successful hunters, shamans
• How does mate selection relate to aggression?

  Females choose mates with good genes
• Why might aggressive males be preferred as mates?

  They can provide better resources
• Evidence, strengths the role of evolution in human behaviour

  Strengths

  Harvey Airtel 2004 found aggression in males is often linked to sexual jealousy and supports the idea of a useful aggression

  Buss 1989 found out across 33 countries males preferred younger women suggesting males consistently look for reproductive successes inmate selection females preferred older wealthy more ambitious males suggesting they favour men who can provide resources
• weaknesses and evidence in the role of evolution in explaining human behaviour?

  • Evidence only shows an association and cannot infer causing affect relationship
  • It's not possible to test the theory of EEA and cannot be cannot be tested since it's difficult to manipulate the variables
• application of the role of evolution in human behaviour

  Suggest the correct and most effective way of gathering mates to create the strongest people
• Strengths and shortcomings of the role of evolution in human be

  • Strengths scientific credibility in that evolution has been demonstrated by fossils and antibiotic resistance
  • Weakness it's deterministic suggest that aggression is purely nature and takes away responsibility from aggression in humans
• alternative theories to the role of evolution in human

  The cultural differences in aggression found that warrior cultures are more more likely to show high levels of aggression. Also cultural difference inmate selection and preference.

  Learning theory suggest we can learn aggressive behaviour and it's a consequence of our upbringing e.g. the media

  In conclusion, the theories reductionist as a oversimplifies many factors