Evolutionary Theories [Instructor Name] [Class and Section Number]

Overview The Basics Sexual Selection Theory Gene Selection Theory Evolutionary Psychology – Sexual Strategies Theory – Error Management Theory

The Basics Evolution – Change over time driven by successful reproduction via natural selection

The Basics Survival Adaptations Mate Competition

Overview The Basics Sexual Selection Theory Gene Selection Theory Evolutionary Psychology – Sexual Strategies Theory – Error Management Theory

Sexual Selection Theory Sexual Selection – The evolution of characteristics not because of survival advantage, but because of mating advantage.

Sexual Selection Theory Intrasexual Competition – Members of the same sex compete with each other, and the winners gain mating access to the opposite sex.

Sexual Selection Theory Intersexual Competition – Members of one sex prefer certain qualities in mates.

Overview The Basics Sexual Selection Theory Gene Selection Theory Evolutionary Psychology – Sexual Strategies Theory – Error Management Theory

Gene Selection Theory Genes increase their own replication in two ways:  Influence individual bodies to survive & reproduce  Influence individual bodies to help other bodies that are likely to contain copies of themselves

Overview The Basics Sexual Selection Theory Gene Selection Theory Evolutionary Psychology – Sexual Strategies Theory – Error Management Theory

Evolutionary Psychology Psychological Adaptations - Mechanisms of the mind that evolved to solve specific problems of survival or reproduction.

Evolutionary Psychology Psychological adaptations interact with culture

Overview The Basics Sexual Selection Theory Gene Selection Theory Evolutionary Psychology – Sexual Strategies Theory – Error Management Theory

Sexual Strategies Theory Sexual Strategies Theory – Humans have evolved a menu of mating strategies, which are selected based on culture, social context, parental influence, and personal mate value.

Sexual Strategies Theory Women  Possession of resources  Access to resources  Commitment Men  Youth  Health  Attractiveness

Overview The Basics Sexual Selection Theory Gene Selection Theory Evolutionary Psychology – Sexual Strategies Theory – Error Management Theory

Error Management Theory Error Management Theory – Whenever making a judgment in the face of uncertainty, selection will create cognitive biases that function to minimize costly errors.

Error Management Theory

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