Module 15 Study Guide Questions
Identify the 3 criticisms of evolutionary psychology outlined in the text AND explain how an evolutionary psychologist would respond to each criticism.
1. Starts with an effect and works backwards-Understanding our predispositions can help us overcome them. 2. Suggests a genetic determinism 3. Blurs the line between genetic legacy and social-cultural tradition (Do not recognize social and cultural influences and absolve people from taking responsibility for their sexual behavior) Cite the value of testable predictions based on evolutionary principles, as well as the coherence and explanatory power of those principles.
Using Figure 15.5, apply the 3 components of the biopsychosocial model to the trait of aggressiveness.
Biological: A genetic predisposition to behave aggressively Social: Aggressive treatment by parents and/or peers Psychological: Belief that one has to be aggressive to succeed in the world
Reflect on the text authors' thoughts on the mind-brain question at the end of the module.
How are mental events (like understanding or asking a question) and brain events (like neurons firing) related? 1. Dualism: the mind and the brain are distinct and separable. mental aspects are in some respects, non physical; Free will 2.Materialism: Ideas of Hume/behaviorist. Mental aspects and consciousness are the result of the brain processes; The cells of a person's brain constitute the person's mind, there is no mind without the brain 3. Functionalism: the software and the hardware are distinct; the function of information is more important than the way it is realized.
Explain how evolutionary psychology uses Charles Darwin's principle of natural selection to show how humans are very much alike.
Natural selection is the principle that, among the range of inherited trait variations, those contributing to reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations. Evolutionary psychology is the study of the evolution of behavior and the mind, using principles of natural selection.
Discuss the research and findings from evolutionary psychology that describes gender differences regarding interest in sex and mating preferences.
One man can spread his genes through many females, and is capable of fathering more children at once than a woman can mother/carry. Women have to incubate and nurse one infant at a time and by pairing wisely, a woman increases the odds that her genes will pass into the future. People believe these presumed gender differences in mating preferences to be true and women look for older, mature, and settled males for partners, while men look for younger, fertile women for partners.
Explain the significance of the "second Darwinian revolution".
The "second Darwinian Revolution" is the application of Darwinian principles to psychology. Evolutionary psychologists ask what over time has caused certain behaviors and fears, such as phobias of snakes over more dangerous threats such as guns.
Using the text's example of Icelandic villagers and Kenyans as a model, apply the 5% to 95% genetic difference numbers to males and females.
The typical genetic difference between the two Icelandic villagers or between the two Kenyans is much greater than the average difference between the groups. The genetic differences between two males is greater than the average difference between males and females.
Discuss the implications of Belyaev and Trot's research with foxes.
When generations of a species are selected for a particular trait, the offspring become fixed into that particular trait.
