PSYC 3420 Chapter Notes -Cognitive Revolution, Biological Determinism, Reciprocal Altruism

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 3420
• Professor: Irwin Silverman

Document Summary

Evolution before darwin; pointing to beliefs of evoution: lemarck, first to use word biologie, 2 major causes of change: 1. Acquired: catastrophism- extinction by sudden catastrophes (meteorites) & new species characteristic inheritance, cuvier emergence, fossil records, comparative embryology, species characteristics serve purpose. Darwin: cambridge university, naturalist on beagle (1831-1836) **galapagos islands; finches & tortoises helped him to form ns: had common ancestor but each diverged due to local ecological conditions. Inspired by malthus"s essay: principle of population: organisms exist in numbers far greater than can survive & reproduce, struggle for existence; favourable variations exist. 3 ingredients of ns (darwin: variation- organisms vary widely. 2: selection- some organisms survive & reproduce more. Inheritance- only inheritable variations involved in evolution: differential reproductive success. Sexual selection- adaptations due to successful mating: creates sexual dimorphism. Intrasexual selection- competition between same sex: greater size, strength, athletic ability. Intersexual selection (preferred mating)- between sexes: individuals with desirable traits reproduce more, female choice.