PSYCH-220 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Human Nature, David Buss, Physical Attractiveness
28 Oct 2020
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Influence of evolution on how we are psychologically. Human nature is the product of evolutionary process via natural selection. Proximate causes: biological processes operating in the organism at the time the behavior is observed. Evolutionary psychologists are more interested in this than proximate causes. Some biological features are better than others. Possession of those features more likely to survive, reproduce, and be ancestors. The biological mechanism evolves: population reflects beings who possess the adaptive biological mechanism. Some may no longer be adaptive (some may be considered sexist now) Are domain specific: solve particular problems in specific settings (men and women will be the same in domains where they face the same adaptive problems) We have this because it enhances our survival and likelihood of reproduction. Being ostracised from the group would be damaging at mealtime and when deciding who to protect.
