Module 12: Evolutionary Psychology: Explaining Human Nature and Nurture

Evolutionary psychology

The study of how our behavior and mind have changed in adaptive ways over time due to natural selection

Natural selection

The principle that inherited traits that better enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment will (in competition with other trait variations) most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Environment and mutations

What are the two major ways an organisms genes can change?

Mutations

A random error in gene replication that leads to a change

Allows us to learn, thus adapting to life

How does mutations being looser on humans help us?

Fitness

Ability to survive and reproduce

Traits having to do with reproduction

Genders do not differ in any personality traits, except for…

Sexual overperception bias

Misperceiving one’s friendliness as a sexual come-on (more common in men)

Put more thought into future of relationships, seek protection and stability

Women’s view on relationships

Seek signs of fertility (slim waist, smooth skin, etc.)

Men’s view on relationships

• This is what allowed our ancestors to reproduce

• Culture norms

Why do men and women have different views on relationships?

Social Learning Theory

We behave how the people around us behave

Social Scripts

A culturally modeled guide for how to act in various situations

Neuroplasticity

How are we physically able to learn and change socially over time?