Evolutionary Theories in Psychology

Overview

• Evolution occurs through natural and sexual selection, responding to environmental challenges.
• We adapt physically and psychologically to enhance survival and reproduction.

Learning Objectives

• Understand what evolution means and how it occurs.
• Identify adaptations and define sexual selection.
• Comprehend gene selection theory and psychological adaptations.
• Recognize core premises of sexual strategies and error management theories.

Introduction

• Behaviors during dating, such as dressing up, may be biologically programmed.
• Evolution shapes behaviors like gift-giving as signals of resource availability.
• Evolutionary processes are integral to daily behaviors like jealousy, cravings, and parenting.

Basics of Evolutionary Theory

• Evolution is change over time, focusing on reproductive success rather than survival.
• Adaptations are traits/behaviors increasing reproductive success.
  • Survival Adaptations: E.g., sweat glands, craving fats.
  • Reproductive Adaptations: E.g., mechanisms to attract mates.

Sexual Selection Theory

• Traits not aiding survival but enhancing mating success (e.g., peacock feathers).
• Intrasexual Competition: Competition within a sex for mates.
• Intersexual Selection: Mate choice preferences influence evolution.
• Humans have mutual mate choice valuing qualities beneficial to relationships.

Gene Selection Theory

• Focus on gene replication; genes that enhance reproduction are favored.
• Genes boost success through individual reproductive success or inclusive fitness.

Evolutionary Psychology

• Connects evolutionary principles with the human mind.
• Psychological Adaptations: Mechanisms solving survival/reproduction problems.
  • Examples: calluses (physiological), sexual jealousy (psychological).
• Cultural factors influence psychological adaptations.
  • Example: Status determined by culture (individualistic vs. collectivist).

Sexual Strategies Theory

• Based on sexual selection theory, outlining human mating strategies.
• Differences due to parental investment: Women's risks are higher.
• Men engage more in short-term mating due to lower reproductive costs.
• Long-term mating: Both sexes choosy, valuing intelligence, loyalty, and health.
• Preferences influenced by ecological, cultural, and social factors.

Error Management Theory (EMT)

• Evolved cognitive biases minimize costly errors in uncertain decisions.
• Examples:
  • Visual Descent Illusion: Overestimation of heights to avoid falls.
  • Auditory Looming Bias: Overestimating sound proximity when approaching.
• Sexual overperception bias: Men misinterpret sexual interest due to evolutionary advantages.

Conclusion

• Theories like sexual strategies and EMT have empirical support.
• Evolutionary psychology offers insights into instinctual behaviors and preferences.
• Modern needs may differ from evolutionary adaptations.

Discussion Questions

• Explore how evolution changes over time and its psychological implications.
• Hypothesize about error management biases in social interactions.

Vocabulary

• Adaptations, Error Management Theory, Evolution, Gene Selection Theory, etc.

References

• Key references include works by Buss, Haselton, and others on evolutionary psychology.

Licensing

• Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.