Evolutionary Perspectives of Emotion

These flashcards cover key concepts related to evolutionary perspectives on emotion, genes, adaptation, and the roles of emotions in intrapersonal and interpersonal contexts.

What does Charles Darwin's work on emotions suggest about animals and children?

The expressions of many animals and small children in emotional situations are similar to those of adult humans.

What is the evolutionary significance of emotions according to modern psychologists?

Emotions are functional adaptations that may have increased the likelihood of survival and reproduction.

Who is known for the foundational work on inheritance through genes?

Gregor Mendel.

What is a mutation in the context of genetics?

A mutation is when the gene-copying process goes awry, resulting in an incorrect copy.

What does Darwin's theory of natural selection explain?

Natural selection is the process where beneficial mutations spread through a population while harmful ones are removed.

What is meant by 'adaptations' in evolutionary terms?

Adaptations are beneficial characteristics that spread as a result of natural selection.

Describe a functional characteristic in evolutionary psychology.

A functional characteristic increases the probability of survival and reproduction for the individual and their relatives.

What is the Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA)?

The EEA is the time/place in the past when a characteristic spread throughout the population due to natural selection.

Give an example of a characteristic that was adaptive in the past but may be harmful today.

A preference for calorie-rich foods, which was adaptive when those foods were scarce.

What is altruistic behavior?

An action that benefits someone other than the actor, potentially at a cost to the altruistic individual.

What are intrapersonal functions of emotion?

Emotions that benefit the individual experiencing them by causing changes in cognitive biases, physiology, or behavior.

How do emotions serve interpersonal functions?

Emotions support complex relationships among people that help them survive and pass on their genes.

What is the connection between emotions and genes according to psychologists?

Genes provide the capacity to experience emotions, which evolved through natural selection.

Are emotions considered universal?

Yes, emotions are seen as adaptations that are part of human nature and may be shared with other animals due to evolutionary history.

What role do neurotransmitters play in emotions according to neuroscientific evidence?

Neurotransmitters can promote behaviors such as approach and avoidance, influencing responses to opportunities and threats.

What do Tooby and Cosmides propose about emotions?

They propose that emotions are superordinate neural programs activated in specific situations to help resolve challenges.

What is the phylogeny of emotions?

The phylogeny of emotions considers the evolutionary history and relationships among species, reflecting how emotions have fine-tuned responses based on new selection pressures.