1. Unit 4: Biological Psychology
WHS AP Psychology
Unit 4: Biological Psychology
Essential Task 4-9:
Explain key behaviors that evolutionary psychologists believe exist because of their adaptive value.
Logo Green is R=8 G=138 B= Blue is R= 0 G=110 B=184
Border Grey is R=74 G=69 B=64

2. Biological Psychology
We are here
Nervous System
Central Nervous System
Brain
Brain Imaging
Peripheral Nervous System
Building Blocks
Genetics
Evolutionary
Endocrine System
Neurotransmitters
Somatic
Autonomic
Sympathetic
Parasympathetic
Biological Psychology
Spinal Cord
Neurons
Sensory
Motor

3. Essential Task 4-8: Evolutionary Psychology Basics
Outline
Evolutionary Psychology Basics
Natural Selection
Gene producing machines
Definition
Explain key behaviors that evolutionary psychologists believe exist because of their adaptive value.
Phobias
Language
Mate Selection

4. Natural Selection
Natural selection is an evolutionary process through which adaptive traits are passed on to ongoing generations because these traits help animals survive and reproduce.
According to natural selection, those organisms that are best adapted to their environment are most likely to survive and reproduce.
Thus their genes are more likely to get passed along.
Outline
OBJECTIVE 11| State the principle of natural selection, and point out some possible effects of natural selection in the development of human characteristics.

5. Evolutionary Psychology
Outline
According to evolutionary psychologists, all organisms, including humans, are "gene-producing machines" with the basic motivation of perpetuating their own genetic pool. In short, our genes predispose us to act in ways that enhance their chances of surviving and spreading. This fundamental motive underlies all our behavior.

6. Evolutionary Psychology
Outline
Study the origins of behavior and mental processes emphasizing the adaptive or survival value of such traits
Behavioral Genetics attempts to explain differences in populations and attribute how much of that is due to genes
Evolutionary Psychology attempts to explain common behavior BY LOOKING AT WHAT WAS HELPFUL TO SURVIVAL OF THE SPECIES

7. Human Traits
Outline
A number of human traits have been identified as a result of pressures afforded by natural selection.
Stranger Anxiety:
Why do infants fear strangers when they become mobile?
Parental Love
Why are most parents so passionately devoted to their children?
Phobias
Why do people fear spiders and snakes?

8. Language
Outline
(Pinker 1994,1997,2002)
All children acquire language without specific instruction
This happens in all cultures at about the same age and in the same stages
The nature of all human languages is the same (nouns, verbs, subjects, questions etc.)
Conclusion: Our brains are hardwired for language. Even identified a gene found only in humans believed to be linked to this.

9. Cross-Cultural Surveys.
Outline
In a survey of 37 cultures involving more than 10,000 participants, Buss (1989) tested predictions concerning sex differences in mate preferences.
Participants were asked to rate the importance of each of 18 characteristics in a potential mate using a 4-point scale.
'good companion', 'considerate', 'honest', 'affectionate', 'dependable‘. 'fond of children', ‘good earning capacity', ‘industrious' , ‘intelligent’, ‘good sense of humour’ 'physically attractive', 'good looking', 'good cook', and 'frugal'.

10. Females preferred: good financial prospects industriousness
Outline
good financial prospects
industriousness
This was mirrored in marriage records in 27 countries, as women consistently married men several years older than themselves.

11. Outline

12. physical attractiveness youth
Males Preferred
Outline
physical attractiveness
youth
In every culture males preferred females who were younger than them while females preferred males who were slightly older.
Chastity

13. Sprecher et al., (1994).
Outline
They measured mate preferences in 13,000 single adults.
Respondents considered 12 possible assets or liabilities in a potential marriage partner using a 7-point scale and indicated their willingness to marry someone possessing such traits.
As in previous studies they found that women were more willing to marry someone who was slightly older than themselves, who was employed, who earned more, and who was better educated, good looks were not high on their list.
Males showed the opposite pattern (i.e. someone younger, attractive, not necessarily employed or intelligent).

14. Sigh . . . . Russell Clark and Elaine Hatfield (1978)
“I have been noticing you around campus and I find you to be very attractive. Would you go to bed with me tonight?
Outline
Russell Clark and Elaine Hatfield (1978)
Average-looking student research assistants
Women = 0%
Men = 75%
Some men replied “Why do we have to wait until tonight.
Repeated in 1982 and in the late 1980s with the same results. (50-75% of the men said yes.)

15. Buss & Schmidt, Psychological Review , 100, 204-232, 1993
Outline
Buss & Schmidt, Psychological Review , 100, , 1993

16. Gender Differences in Sexuality
Human Sexuality
Outline
Gender Differences in Sexuality
Males and females, to a large extent, behave and think similarly. Differences in sexes arise in regards to reproductive behaviors.
Due to the reproductive reality, it would seem most adaptive for women to find a mate that gives the best genes, resources, and long-term parental care.
Males can pass on as many genes as they can find willing partners.
OBJECTIVE 12| Identify gender differences in sexuality.

17. What Women Want? Healthy looking men Affluent Mature Dominant Bold
(Singh 1995)
Healthy looking men
Affluent
Mature
Dominant
Bold
Offer long-term mating and investment (Gangestad and Simpson 2000)
Outline
OBJECTIVE 13| Describe evolutionary explanations for gender differences in sexuality.

18. Explanation of Partner Selection in Women
Outline
Females have evolved mechanisms that enable them to detect men that will transfer resources to their offspring (i.e. health and paternal investment ).
These are sometimes referred to as 'good provider' and 'good genes' attributes in the male
OBJECTIVE 13| Describe evolutionary explanations for gender differences in sexuality.

19. What Guys Want?
A waist to hip ratio (WHR) of about 0.7 (the hour glass figure)
Full lips and small noses
Youthfulness
These features are associated with a strong immune system, high estrogen level, and developmental stability
Outline
OBJECTIVE 13| Describe evolutionary explanations for gender differences in sexuality.

20. Explanation of Partner Selection in Men
Outline
Males have evolved mechanisms that enable them to detect females that promise rapid production of offspring, and a disinclination to mate with other men (i.e. health, fertility and faithfulness )
OBJECTIVE 13| Describe evolutionary explanations for gender differences in sexuality.