assumptions

• Evolutionary Influences: We have changed over millions of years and ADAPTED to the demands of our individual environments
• Any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual's chance of survival and reproduction will be naturally selected
• The approach proposes that the human mind and behaviour has changed over time so they are adapted to the demands of our individual environments
• EEA (Environment of evolutionary adaptiveness)


  The environment to which any species is adapted and selective pressures that existed at that time
• Assumption 1


  Evolutionary influences
• Assumption 2


  Localisation of brain function
• Assumption 3 


  Neurotransmitters
• Localisation of brain function


  certain areas of the brain are responsible for different functions
• Frontal lobe


  thinking and creativity,linked to personality
• Parietal lobe


  sensory information(temperature,touch,pain)
• Temporal lobe


  Memory processing,processing auditory information
• Occipital lobe


  visual processing,receives info straight from eyes
• Brocas areas


  associated with speech production,located in the posterior portion of the frontal lobe
• Wernickes area


  could speak but were unable to understand language.posterior portion of the left temporal lobe
• neurons


  electrically excitable cells.

  each neuron has many dendrites so neurons can interact with others.

  they communicate with each other at a synapse,where neurotransmitters pass through.
• synapse


  neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic bulb,from a vesicle.

  the neurotransmitter will then stimulate or inhibit receptors cells on the postsynaptic membrane.
• serotonin


  plays a role in our mood,sleep and appetite.

  too little serotonin can cause depression

  antidepressants increase the levels of serotonin
• dopamine


  high levels of dopamine have been associated with symptoms of schizophrenia.

  antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia block receptors for dopamine to limit their effect.
• applying evolutionary influences to human behaviour

  bullying-EVOLVED GENDER DIFFERENCES-bullying is a survival tactic shaped by evolution.

  Males bully to show dominance and attract mates by displaying resources.

  Females bully to ensure partners loyalty and access resources
• applying localisation of brain function to human behaviour

  ASD_AMYGDALA DYSFUNCTION-amygdala growth occurs earlier in children with ASD compared to neurotypical children. Its essential for social interaction,hence the problems people with ASD face
• applying neurotransmitters to human behaviour

  Bullying-BULLYING GENES-levels of MAOA closely related to aggressive behaviour.Dysfunction to the MAOA gene can cause a low level of MAOA,not as much serotonin is broken down,results in a low level of serotonin