Evolutionary Psychology and Group Dynamics

Flashcards covering key concepts related to evolutionary psychology, group behavior, dominance hierarchies, cooperation, and conflict based on lecture notes.

Evolutionary Psychology

Deals with groups and the contradictions and consequences of living in groups.

Groups Benefits

Include cooperation and mutual assistance among members.

Groups Costs

Include 'membership dues' where members must help others in return for assistance and coordination efforts.

Intra-group relations

Focus on order within a group, often involving a dominance hierarchy, cooperation, and competition.

Inter-group relations

Address interactions between groups, including wars and negotiations.

Dominance Hierarchy

A way to distribute resources without constant fighting, benefiting even low-ranking members.

Free-riding

The biggest problem for groups, where individuals try to get more and give less.

Altruistic Punishment

A factor that encourages cooperation within a group by penalizing those who don't contribute.

Moral Emotions

Guilt, remorse, gratitude, outrage, and the wish to punish, potentially evolved from social interactions.

Egalitarianism

Common within hunter-gatherer groups due to the lack of material wealth accumulation.

Noble Savage

The view of hunter-gatherers as living in harmony which is originating from the 18th century European Enlightenment.

Inter-group antagonism

The relationship between groups where harmony exists within the group, but antagonism exists between groups.

Archaeological Evidence

Consists of human remains with weapon injuries, mass graves, and bones used for marrow extraction, indicating warfare.

Tribal Warfare

Frequent wars and raids, high homicide rates, and significant population losses in tribal societies.

Lethality of Ancient Warfare

More lethal than modern warfare due to small societies having front lines everywhere.