PSYC 327 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Cognitive Map, Sociobiology, Problem Solving
Document Summary
Survival of the fittest - being the fittest means being the best adapted. Outlines theory of evolution- more individuals of each species are born than can possibly survive- the slightest advantage determines which individual survives- these advantages (genetic traits) are passed onto future generations= natural selection. Artificial selection- man preserves and propagates certain traits. Agriculture and animal breeding- humans have shaped the way animals and plants look for the past 10,000 years. Ex. foxes bred for their fur- too stressed to breed- breeding those with least excitable temperaments- new generation of foxes were transformed in behavior and appearance- no longer afraid of people. Species- population capable of interbreeding, need not be identical. Division of species- two very distinct species will emerge, share common ancestor. First chapter- on pigeons- was fascinated with morphological and behavioral varieties of pigeons. Allele- gene variant, one of two or more alternate forms of a gene.
