Evolutionary Psychology

Natural selection - Genetic Mutation

DNA makes copies of itself through reproduction/DNA code is not copied exactly/every animal receives half of their genes from each parent (unique genetic blueprint)/useful and harmful mutations

Natural selection - competition for scarce resources

Staying alive requires constant competition for limited food and other resources/against other species and other humans

Natural selection - natural and sexual selection

Only humans with the ‘best genes’ were able to survive and reproduce/natural selection ensured only good genes that increased the odds of survival would be passed down/sexual selection is the changes of attracting mates and successfully reproducing based on genes

Natural selection - differential reproduction

Good genes = high reproduction rates/ bad genes = lower reproduction rates

Natural selection - heritability of traits

Traits that helped ancestors survive and reproduce are transmitted through genes

Evolutionary Psychology

Genes influence how people think and behave/genes that promote survival enhancing behaviors are passed down from one generation to the next

Evolution of attraction

• Clear, blemish free skin: sign of good health and lack of disease

• Facial symmetry: sign of good health and strong genes

• Perfect facial proportions: indicate a lack of genetic deformities and a good state of health