Evolutionary Psychology

1. Evolutionary Psychology

2. Two Different Approaches to Psychology SSSM • Standard Social Science Model EP • Evolutionary Psychology

3. Major Contrast SSSM • All is Learned • No instincts • General Processor • Culture transcends biology EP • Some is innate • Instincts • Modularity • Biology builds, influences, and constrains culture

4. EP Principles • Assumptions • Humans Evolved • Theory of Natural selection • Traits vary across generations • Traits that promote survival & reproduction naturally selected • Naturally Selected traits passed on to next generation • Applied to Brain and Behavior • Social Behavior as set of Adaptations • Methods and Topics: Reverse Engineering

5. Important Evolutionary Changes for Humans • Bipedalism • Frees up the hands • Climbing • Throwing • Opposable Thumbs • Dexterity • Tools • Big Brains • Language • Complex Emotions & Social Behavior • Consciousness?

6. Example of EP Research:Mate selection • Physical Attractiveness : More important for males

8. Example of EP Research:Mate selection • Physical Attractiveness : More important for males • Financial Status: More important for females

9. Example of EP Research:Logical Thinking • Wason Selection Task

10. RULE: If a D is on one side, there must be a 3 on the other side. D F 3 7

11. beer cola 25 16

12. Instincts: Depth Perception

13. Violence: Homicide • 86% homicides committed by males • Most victims male • No society in which females > males • Why do men kill? • ‘altercations’ • 2 x rate for domestic quarrels • 5 x rate for robberies • Culture ? • Status and Honor: adaptations related to mate selection

14. What about culture?

15. A Scientific American article (June 1999) accounts for the high murder rates in the South on the grounds of a "culture of honor". A white man living in a small county in the South is four times more likely to kill than one living in a small county in the Midwest. Southerners showed higher levels of cortisol and testosterone in response to an insult. Murder rates due to arguments are higher in the South and Southwest, but murder rates associated with felony (robbery or burglary) are lower

16. Misinterpretations • Genes are not Blueprints (do not determine) • Genes more like recipes (guide) & triggers • EP is not Biological Determinism • EP is not Genes + Environment • EP IS Genes x Environment • CULTURE (Environment) matters!

17. Applications of EP: Brains, Intelligence, Talent • Human Cognitive ability and design

18. Spandrels

19. Applications of EP: Brains, Intelligence, Talent • Human Cognitive ability and design • We were NOT designed to do all that we can do! • Exaptations

20. Applications of EP: Brains, Intelligence, Talent • Human Cognitive ability and design • We were NOT designed to do all that we can do! • Exaptations • Race, Cultural Differences and Intelligence

21. Applications of EP: Brains, Intelligence, Talent • Human Cognitive ability and design • We were NOT designed to do all that we can do! • Exaptations • Race, Cultural Differences and Intelligence • Gender

22. Applications of EP: Brains, Intelligence, Talent • Human Cognitive ability and design • We were NOT designed to do all that we can do! • Exaptations • Race, Cultural Differences and Intelligence • Gender • Talent and Success: Geniuses made or born? • Inherited? • Learned?

23. Success Factors • 10,000 hour rule • Context • Influence • Parents • Peers • Others • Luck!

24. More Applications • Personality • Psychopathology • Desmond Morris The Human Zoo • Impact of technology • Social Media