Evolutionary Psychology

what does evolutionary psychology address

human cognitions, emotion, personality, and behavior based on the theory of evolution

natural selection

adaptive and beneficial traits and biological characteristics are passed down to surviving members of a species, traits or characteristics that increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction for he species are more likely to be passed down from generation to generation, attrition of traits/behaviors that are not adaptive or do not contribute to the survival and/or reproduction of the species

adaptive behavior

behavior that becomes part of the species’ genetic makeup because it is repeated consistently and is beneficial to survival

what are the two fundamental problems of adaptation

survival and reproduction

animals who solve survival problem (e.g., food, disease, climate, predators)

are more likely to survive and thus, more likely to reproduce

mechanisms

solutions to the problems of survival and reproduction

physical mechanisms

physiological organs and systems to enhance chances of survival and reproduction

psychological mechanisms

internal cognitive, motivational, and personality systems to enhance chances of survival and reproduction - goals/drives/motives (e.g., power), emotions (e.g., sad when experiencing loss), personality traits

gender differences

gender differences in personality as valuable to the goal of species reproduction

Kenrick et al

traits that increase the probability of successful reproduction will tend to increase in frequency over time

what kind of competition is used in the evolutionary value of personality variability

intersexual competition

desirability of some characteristics/traits over others

men desire attractiveness (health, reproductive status; negativity toward high SES/edu), while women desire resources

the adaptive role of jealousy for men and women

jealousy is similar in frequency, triggers are different (sex vs intimacy)

traits that contribute to a longer life

conscientiousness, optimism, sense of control

traits negatively associated with longevity (typically due to CVD and chronic stress)

hostile type A personality (intense stress response; expression of intense negative emotion), type D personality (“distressed”; social inhibition/rejection sensitivity; suppression of intense negative emotion), neuroticism

what are there to traits

both costs and benefits

adaptive behavioral dispositions (1st three as most important)

extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability (the opposite of neuroticism), openness/intellect

“less desirable” traits

can be adaptive (e.g., neuroticism and the sensitivity to threat)

individual differences due to nature and nurture

childhood experiences, attachment style, body shape (and the way we see people - halo effect and otherwise), genetic mutations and birth defects), TBI, spinal cord injury

temperament

early foundation for personality traits, biological systems (genetic) with modification by the environment (pre and post natal), prenatal influence (e.g., mother under stress; influenza; nutrition)

types of temperament

easy, difficult, slow-to-warm

4 dimensions of temperament

activity (energy), emotionality (positive/negative), sociability (response to strangers), impulsivity (speed to act without reflection)

dimensions of temperament survey

infants classified as “difficult” if consistently on the extreme ends of activity, sleep regularity, etc.

what can temperament predict

substance use, academic performance, career success, interpersonal conflict, SAT scores, undercontrolled (impulsive, restless), inhibited, well-adjusted at 3 predicted future “success”

animal personality

nonhuman animals have been found to have personalities similar to the Big Five in humans