Evolutionary Psychology Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing foundational evolutionary psychology terms and their definitions.

Adaptations

Evolved solutions to problems that historically contributed to reproductive success.

Error Management Theory (EMT)

A theory proposing that, under uncertainty, cognitive biases evolve to minimize the costlier of two possible errors.

Evolution

Change in organisms over time driven by differential reproductive success.

Gene Selection Theory

Modern view that differential gene replication is the fundamental process driving evolutionary change.

Intersexual Selection

Form of sexual selection in which mate preferences of one sex exert selection pressure on the other sex.

Intrasexual Competition

Form of sexual selection where members of one sex compete among themselves for access to mates.

Natural Selection

Differential reproductive success resulting from inherited trait differences.

Psychological Adaptations

Evolved information-processing mechanisms of the mind that solve specific survival or reproductive problems.

Sexual Selection

Evolution of traits because they confer a mating advantage.

Sexual Strategies Theory

Evolutionary framework describing the array of human mating strategies and the adaptive problems each sex faces in pursuing them.