Unit 3-C (D):Unit 3-C (D):Evolutionary Evolutionary PsychologyPsychology

Mr. McCormickMr. McCormickA.P. PsychologyA.P. Psychology

Do-NowDo-Now(Discussion)(Discussion)

What are some ways What are some ways

that that humanshumans have have

changed changed physically physically due todue to

Natural SelectionNatural Selection??

Evolutionary PsychologyEvolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology:Evolutionary Psychology: The study of the evolution of behavior and The study of the evolution of behavior and

the mind using principles of natural selectionthe mind using principles of natural selection

Natural Selection:Natural Selection: The principle that, among the range of The principle that, among the range of

inherited trait variations, those that lead to inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generationslikely be passed on to succeeding generations

Evolutionary PsychologyEvolutionary Psychology

It’s all about It’s all about survivalsurvival:: Organisms’ varied offspring Organisms’ varied offspring competecompete for for

survivalsurvival

Certain Certain biologicalbiological and and behavioral behavioral variations variations increaseincrease organisms’ organisms’ reproductive reproductive and and survival survival chances in their particular environmentchances in their particular environment

Offspring that Offspring that survivesurvive are more likely to are more likely to pass pass their genes to ensuing generationstheir genes to ensuing generations

Over time, population characteristics may Over time, population characteristics may changechange

Evolutionary PsychologyEvolutionary Psychology

What are some What are some human human

psychologicalpsychological traits the traits the promote promote

survivalsurvival??

Evolutionary PsychologyEvolutionary Psychology

Mutation:Mutation: A random error in gene replication that A random error in gene replication that

leads to a changeleads to a change

Evolutionary PsychologyEvolutionary Psychology

Many Many psychologicalpsychological traits that humans traits that humans possess today have their roots in possess today have their roots in evolutionevolution:: Food preferencesFood preferences FearsFears Stress managementStress management Gender differencesGender differences Sexual behaviorsSexual behaviors

Some Some evolutionary psychologists evolutionary psychologists feel that feel that humans are humans are biologicallybiologically preparedprepared for a world for a world that that no longer existsno longer exists

Evolutionary Psychology:Evolutionary Psychology:Differences in Sexual Differences in Sexual

BehaviorBehavior In general, whichIn general, which sexsex tends to tends to

be more be more sexually aggressive sexually aggressive and and promiscuouspromiscuous??

How might an How might an evolutionary evolutionary psychologistpsychologist explain explain men’s men’s higherhigher rate of rate of sexual activitysexual activity??

Evolutionary Psychology:Evolutionary Psychology:Differences in Sexual Differences in Sexual

BehaviorBehavior

Question (summarized) MaleFemal

e

Casual sex 58% 34%

Sex for affection 25% 48%

Think about sex everyday 54% 19%

Evolutionary Psychology:Evolutionary Psychology:Differences in Sexual Differences in Sexual

BehaviorBehaviorPsychological Study on Sexual Preferences:Psychological Study on Sexual Preferences:

In a range of cultures studied (indicated by red dots), moreIn a range of cultures studied (indicated by red dots), more men men than women than women preferred preferred youthfulyouthful women; more women; more womenwomen than men preferred mates with than men preferred mates with

resources resources and and social statussocial status

The Biopsychosocial The Biopsychosocial Approach:Approach:

NatureNature And And NurtureNurture

ReviewReview What is What is Evolutionary PsychologyEvolutionary Psychology??

How does How does Natural Selection Natural Selection applyapply to human to human thoughtthought and and behaviorbehavior??

How are the following a How are the following a result result of of psychobiological evolutionpsychobiological evolution in in humanshumans:: Preference for sweet and fatty foodsPreference for sweet and fatty foods Fear of spiders and snakes, but not guns and electricityFear of spiders and snakes, but not guns and electricity Men’s higher rate of sexual activityMen’s higher rate of sexual activity

What does the What does the Biopsychosocial Approach Biopsychosocial Approach suggest suggest about the about the Nature-Nurture DebateNature-Nurture Debate??

HomeworkHomework

Unit 3 Test: Unit 3 Test: “Biological Bases of “Biological Bases of Behavior”Behavior”

Chapter 6 Outline: Chapter 6 Outline: “Sensation “Sensation and Perception”and Perception”