3.7 Evolutionary Theory and Social Roles Theory

Multilevel Selection

Group-level selection, favoring cooperation and altruism within groups competing with other groups, played a significant role in the evolution of eusociality (highly cooperative social systems like those of ants and bees) and, arguably, human social behavior

Natural Selection

The differential survival and reproduction of different variants of members of species and is the tool the natural world uses to shape evolutionary processes

Ethology

The study of the adaptive behaviors of animal species in natural contexts

Evolutionary Psychology

Applies Darwinian principles to human behavior

Law of Natural Selection

Law that came about by the principle of survival of the fittest that was proposed by Herbert Spencer

Social Role Theory

Traces the process of socialization and personality development through the person’s participation in increasingly diverse and complex social roles

Role enhancement, Social roles, & Role expectations

3 Elements of the Social Role Theory

Number of roles a person occupies

Intensity of Involvement

Amount of time the role demands

Extent to which expectations associated with the role are either highly structured or flexible and open to improvision

4 Dimensions of the Social Role Theory

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Individuals often behave in ways that are consistent with the social roles they occupy and the expectations associated with those roles