evolution

What is evolutionary psychology?

The study of how natural selection has shaped behaviour and mental processes.

What is natural selection?

The process by which traits that increase survival and reproduction become more common.

Who proposed the theory of natural selection?

Charles Darwin.

What is adaptation?

A trait that increases reproductive success.

What is fitness in evolutionary terms?

The ability to survive and reproduce.

What is inclusive fitness?

Total genetic success including relatives’ reproduction.

What is kin selection?

Selection that favours behaviours benefiting relatives.

What is reciprocal altruism?

Helping others with the expectation of future return.

What conditions are required for reciprocal altruism?

Repeated interaction, ability to recognise individuals, and memory of past behaviour.

What is sexual selection?

Selection based on mating success rather than survival.

What are the two types of sexual selection?

Intrasexual competition and intersexual selection.

What is intrasexual competition?

Competition within a sex for access to mates.

What is intersexual selection?

Preference by one sex for certain traits.

What is parental investment theory?

The sex investing more in offspring is more selective.

Who proposed parental investment theory?

Robert Trivers.

What is a mating strategy?

A pattern of behaviours used to obtain mates.

What is a short-term mating strategy?

Multiple partners with low commitment.

What is a long-term mating strategy?

Fewer partners with high commitment.

What traits do females typically prefer in long-term mates?

Resources, stability, and commitment.

What traits do males typically prefer in mates?

Youth and fertility cues.

What is sexual dimorphism?

Differences between males and females in physical or behavioural traits.

What causes sexual dimorphism?

Differences in sexual selection pressures.

What is mate choice copying?

Choosing mates based on others’ choices.

What is sperm competition?

Competition between sperm of different males.

What behaviours increase success in sperm competition?

Mate guarding and increased ejaculation.

What is mate guarding?

Preventing a partner from mating with others.

What is jealousy from an evolutionary perspective?

A mechanism to protect reproductive investment.

What type of infidelity are males more sensitive to?

Sexual infidelity.

What type of infidelity are females more sensitive to?

Emotional infidelity.

What is life history theory?

Allocation of resources to growth, reproduction, and survival.

What are fast life history strategies?

Early reproduction, many offspring, low investment.

What are slow life history strategies?

Late reproduction, fewer offspring, high investment.

What environments favour fast strategies?

Unstable or unpredictable environments.

What environments favour slow strategies?

Stable environments.

What is the mismatch hypothesis?

Evolved traits may not suit modern environments.

Give an example of evolutionary mismatch.

Preference for high-calorie food in modern abundance.

What is a psychological adaptation?

A mental trait shaped by evolution to solve problems.

What is the environment of evolutionary adaptedness (EEA)?

The ancestral environment in which humans evolved.

Why is the EEA important?

It explains why certain behaviours evolved.

What is modularity in evolutionary psychology?

The idea that the mind consists of specialised systems.

What is a domain-specific mechanism?

A system evolved to solve a specific problem.

What is a domain-general mechanism?

A flexible system that applies across situations.

What is altruism?

Behaviour that benefits others at a cost to oneself.

How can altruism evolve?

Through kin selection or reciprocal altruism.

What is cheating in evolutionary terms?

Taking benefits without reciprocating.

Why is detecting cheaters important?

Prevents exploitation in social systems.

What is the role of emotions in evolutionary psychology?

Guide adaptive behaviour.

Give an example of an adaptive emotion.

Fear (avoiding danger).

What is disgust thought to protect against?

Pathogens and disease.

Why is attraction to symmetry considered adaptive?

It signals health and genetic quality.

What is sexual jealousy thought to prevent?

Loss of reproductive opportunity.

What is group selection?

The idea that selection can act on groups (controversial).

Why is group selection debated?

It is less supported than individual-level selection.

What is cultural evolution?

The transmission of behaviours and ideas across generations.

How does culture interact with evolution?

It shapes and is shaped by biological processes.

What is gene–culture coevolution?

Genes and culture influencing each other over time.

What is one criticism of evolutionary psychology?

It can be difficult to test hypotheses.

What is another criticism?

It may rely on post hoc explanations.

What is a strength of evolutionary psychology?

It provides ultimate explanations of behaviour.

What is the difference between proximate and ultimate explanations?

Proximate = how behaviour occurs; ultimate = why it evolved.

What type of explanation is evolutionary psychology mainly concerned with?

Ultimate explanations.

What is an example of a proximate explanation?

Hormones influencing behaviour.

What is an example of an ultimate explanation?

Behaviour increasing reproductive success.