1. Evolutionary Psychology A very basic introduction to the topic

2. To begin with, some definitions: Evolutionary Psychology: The study of the evolution of behavior and the mind using principles of natural selection Natural Selection: The principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

3. What is evolution? It’s all about survival: Organisms’ varied offspring compete for survival Certain biological and behavioral variations increase organisms’ reproductive and survival chances in their particular environment Offspring that survive are more likely to pass their genes to ensuing generations Over time, population characteristics may change

4. Evolutionary Psychology Many psychological traits that humans possess today have their roots in evolution: Food preferences Fears Stress management Gender differences Sexual behaviors Some evolutionary psychologists feel that humans are biologically prepared for a world that no longer exists

5. Peter Gray of Boston College notes this misconception about evolution: Students may believe that “lower species” are on their way to becoming humans or that evolution occurs in order to meet future conditions or higher moral purposes. Reference: Myers, David Psychology Teacher’s Guide, Ch. 3 p.7

6. Grays says, no! His example is the evolution of beak thickness in finches on the Galapagos Archipelago. Over many years of drought, the birds evolved thicker beaks that could crack harder seeds. Then over years of heavy rains, the same species evolved thinner beaks for eating softer seeds the moisture produced. What was fit for one situation was not fit in the other.

7. So, The species did not anticipate the change in climate by developing characteristics that would meet the situation in advance. Gray suggests that the evolutionary perspective is useful in raising the “why of behavior” question that is central to the discipline of psychology.

8. Gray continues to explain If one can answer the “why” then one can understand the distinction between proximal causation (immediate inducers of behavior) and ultimate causation (the evolutionary advantage served by the behavior) Both explanations show how different perspectives are complementary.

9. Gray also notes That the evolutionary perspective does not equal psychopathology. Some behaviors have potential evolutionary value For example, “Why do young children resist going to bed?

10. Are they just being spoiled ? Well, perhaps not. In some cultures, bedtime protest is absent. Why?

11. Some may answer, that the child fears being alone in the dark In hunting and gathering days, being alone in the dark was a very real fear. Children who protested, attracted adult attention and were more likely to survive. In present day hunting and gathering societies, putting a child to bed alone is child abuse.

12. Thus, perhaps this behavior is really one that has evolved for survival. Reference: Gray, P. (1996) Incorporating evolutionary theory in the teaching of psychology. Teaching of Psychology 207-214.

13. In the news Bullies Rattlers Hogs and Rattlers

14. Let’s try a few questions Questions designed by Bernard Weiner to introduce a few basic principles of evolutionary psychology. Weiner, B. (1992) Human Motivation: Metaphors, theories and research. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications

15. 1) You are on a boat that overturns. It contains your 5 year-old and your 1-year old children (of the same sex). The boat sinks an you can save only one. Whom do you choose to save? 5 year old 1 year old 2) That same boat contains your 40 year old and 20 year old children (both of the same sex). Neither can swim. As the boat sinks, whom do you chose to save? 40 year old 20 year old

16. 3) Have you (or would you) rather marry someone older or younger than yourself? 4) Of the following six, which three are most important in the selection of your mate? Good financial prospects Good looks A caring and responsible personality Physical attractiveness Ambition and industriousness An exciting personality

17. MALES: Of the following six, which three are most important in the selection of your mate? Good looks Physical attractiveness An exciting personality FEMALES: Of the following six, which three are most important in the selection of your mate? Good financial prospects A caring and responsible personality Ambition and industriousness

18. Evolutionary Psychology: Differences in Sexual Behavior In general, which sex tends to be more sexually aggressive and promiscuous? How might an evolutionary psychologist explain men’s higher rate of sexual activity?

19. Evolutionary Psychology: Differences in Sexual Behavior Male 58% 25% 54% Question (summarized) Casual sex Sex for affection Think about sex everyday Female 34% 48% 19%

20. Evolutionary Psychology: Differences in Sexual Behavior In a range of cultures studied (indicated by red dots), more men than women preferred youthful women; more women than men preferred mates with resources and social status

21. The Biopsychosocial Approach: Nature And Nurture

22. Main tenets of Evolutionary Psychology The fundamental basis of evolutionary psychology dates back to Darwin’s (1859) theory of natural selection which has 3 basic components Variation (individual differences within a species) Inheritance ((passed down reliably from parents to child) Differential reproductive success (solves problems of survival) because of heritable variants is the “bottom line” of evolution by selection. (This is the final arbiter of which characteristics evolve.)

23. Common misunderstandings about evolutionary psychology (to name but 2) This is a false dichotomy. “Learning” and “evolutionary psychology” are not competing explanations, learning requires evolved learning adaptations, at least some of which are specialized for solving distinct adaptive problems. This misunderstanding stems from a failure to understand that evolutionary psychology provides a truly interactionist framework. Humans show great flexibility precisely because of the large number of evolved psychological adaptations they possess. #2 Human behavior is a product of learning, not evolution. #3 If human behavior is a product of evolved psychological adaptations, it means we cannot change it.

24. Teaching Tools for Evolutionary Psychology The full set of 17 can be found on Dr. Buss’ website www.davidbuss.com

25. 1) Convey to students an understanding of “Deep Time.” Use a spatial metaphor of a football field. Life first evolved at one end of the field. You would travel a full 99 yards before apes evolved. The genus Homo did not emerge until the last foot of the field. Truly modern humans, Homo- sapiens (Cro-Magnons) did not colonize Europe until the last tenth of an inch.

26. # 7 Hammer home the critical distinction between proximate and ultimate causation. Proximate causation deals with the immediate causes that trigger activation. Ultimate causation deals with the evolution of the mechanism and its adaptive function. Why does Sally develop calluses on her hand? What caused her calluses? (pc) Why did the callus producing mechanism evolve? (uc) Why did Johnny get jealous? Was someone flirting with his girlfriend? (pc) Why have humans evolved the emotion of jealousy? (uc)

27. #10 Bring in an animal example. Sometimes it is easier to see things in other species. Example: Many insects, mammalian and primate species use something called “mate guarding.” The male will maintain physical proximity to the mates and conceal them from other males Build a fence Move locations Emit scents that cover the female scent Physically jostle other males away

28. Do humans ever do anything like this?

29. While each species is unique, humans may use the ability to communicate through language or use some variation in culture to “mate guard.” Ex: Burkas, check-up phone calls, monitoring email or text messages

30. To teach the understanding of the logic of inclusive fitness theory, ask students to consider: “Imagine that you are a gene residing within a body. Your mission is to increase your own replication success (making copies of yourself) relative to competing genes. What would you do?”

31. What would you do? 1) 2) 3)

32. What would you do? 1) Influence the body in which you reside. 2) Ensure that the body in which you reside reproduces. 3) Help other organisms that contain copies of you –genetic relatives- to survive and reproduce.

33. Another example For mating, Buss asks all students to list all of the qualities women want in a long-term mate. List all of the qualities men want in a long-term mate Compare lists.

34. Another example For the topic of conflict, Buss asks all students to make a list of all the things that men they know have done to annoy, irritate, anger or upset women. Make a list of what women do that has the same effect of annoying, irritating, angering or upsetting men. Could this be studied scientifically?

35. To quote Dr. Buss, “Evolutionary psychology has the combination of a powerful big-picture theoretical perspective, real-life applicability and topical intrigue that captures students’ interest.”