Module 15 Evolutionary Psychology UNIT 3 BIOLOGY

 Relying on the concept of natural selection to study evolving behaviors and the mind  Darwin’s natural selection: how traits that allow for our survival will be passed along  A species has variations  Those variations sometimes help it to live and/or reproduce  If it lives/reproduces, its genes get passed on to next generation EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY

 Natural Selection and Adaptation  Breeding animals…fox example  Evolution theory believes that mutations (random chance changes) sometimes help a species to survive and/or reproduce  Not as strong with humans due to capacity to learn and adapt CONT.

 Regardless of face, humans are genetically at least 95% similar  Pregnant women example, craving fatty foods EVOLUTIONARY SUCCESS HELPS EXPLAIN SIMILARITIES

 Second “evolution” of Darwin  Babies fearing strangers  Fathers less likely to kill own children EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY TODAY

 NEWS FLASH….. MEN AND WOMEN ARE DIFFERENT!!!!  Please remember: This is a discussion of gender as a species not individuals! EVOLUTIONARY EXPLANATION OF SEXUALITY

 Genes and experiences both form us  Traits that come from genes can be “amplified” by environment  Gender differences are exaggerated by culture REFLECTIONS ON NATURE V. NURTURE

 Everything psychological is simultaneously biological FINAL THOUGHT…