Assumption 1

ASSUMPTION 1 - Evolutionary Influences

What is 1 biological approach assumption?

evolutionary influences

ASSUMPTION 1 - Evolutionary Influences

How has the theory of evolution been used?

to explain how the human mind and behaviour has changed over millions of years and has adapted to the demands of our individual environments

ASSUMPTION 1 - Evolutionary Influences

What is this notion of adaptiveness based on?

Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection

ASSUMPTION 1 - Evolutionary Influences

What is the idea of natural selection?

that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual's chance of survival and reproduction will be naturally selected, i.e the genes will be passed on to the next generation

ASSUMPTION 1 - Evolutionary Influences

Where does natural selection take place?

at the level of the genes

ASSUMPTION 1 - Evolutionary Influences

What is an example of natural selection?

Altruism

ASSUMPTION 1 - Evolutionary Influences

What is the meaning of Altruism?

where parents risk their lives to save their offspring

ASSUMPTION 1 - Evolutionary Influences

What would the theory of natural selection say about Altruism?

that it is an inherited, adaptive trait because saving offspring (or other relative) enhances the survival of that individual’s gene pool

ASSUMPTION 1 - Evolutionary Influences

Define EEA

environment of evolutionary adaptiveness

ASSUMPTION 1 - Evolutionary Influences

What is EEA?

This is the environment to which any species is adapted and the selective pressures that existed at that time.

ASSUMPTION 1 - Evolutionary Influences

What do evolutionary psychologists assume?

only the behaviour that will ensure the survival in that individual’s particular environment will adapt

ASSUMPTION 1 - Evolutionary Influences

What can EEA explain about the most recent period of evolutionary change which was that about 2 million years ago humans moved from forest life to the developing savannahs in Africa?

explain why humans have such large brains relative to their body size.

ASSUMPTION 1 - Evolutionary Influences

What would the theory propose?

that the human brain has evolved in response to the complex social organisation of our species.