Human Evolutionary Ecology

Crucial Components of Dawkins The goal of evolution, from the perspective of the individual, is the get your genes represented in the next generation “ genetic determinism”: our phenotype is the vehicle. That carries our genes. But genes are driving the vehicle. Consequently a lot of Human behavior is directed toward “ reproduction”. Individual decision making. In contrast to selectionism, individual decision making and how those decision affect the trajectories of evolution are crucial “METHODOLOGICAL INDIVIDUALISM”: INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS HAVE LONG TERM EVOLUTIONARY CONSEQUENCES

HOW CAN THIS BE THE CASE--- A MAJOR ASSUMPTION SUPPORTS METHODOLOGICAL INDIVIDUALISM Over the long haul, humans brain and therefore the human mind has been shaped by selection to maximize fitness. The human brain. This means that the choices we make are designed to maximize fitness and gene representation. This assumption may be overturned in the process of investigation. If it is, then why is that the case

Parental Investment Laura Betzig Altruism Sexual Selection Kin Selection

Prey Choice Model provides a set of predictions on which a predator (humans in our case) should choose from an array of potential choices. all else being equal in terms of prey density, encounter rates, processing time, a predator should go for the prey with the highest energy return rates. Why should this be the case? Natural selection has shaped predators to behave this way Predator decision-making, though flexible, will choose a higher ranked resource over a lower one. Why take a bunny when you just as easily take down a deer.

Virginia Butler: Resource Depression on the Northwest Coast of North America Questions: What is Resource Depression? Why might this concept be important in archaeology? How is this concept related to Prey Choice Models What does Butler want to explain? How does she estimate prey size?--- after all she’s working with fish bone? Does HEE inform this paper? How and why? What parts of this paper do not fit within an HEE framework?