PSYC 311 1st EditionLecture 24Current LectureApril 28Personality - Personality – consistent long term behavioral differences among individual animals o Anthropomorphizing – “fun and convenient” - Behavioral checklist o Critical incidents of personality related behavior are provided  Observer checks all that apply (coping styles, temperaments) - Boldness vs. shyness in sunfish, gosling and spotted hyenas (60 traits found)o Assertiveness, excitability, human directed aggression, sociability, curiosity - Blue ringed octopus – alertness, threat, food- Coping styles – how does an animal/species handle stress o Proactive – active; territoriality, aggression; prone to remove noxious stimuli Attack/fight o Reactive – conservation/withdrawal; immobility, low levels of aggression - Helper dog personalities o Early experiences are important o Genetic aspect of emotional reactivity of various strains important  38 fear vs. fearless behaviors - General fearfulness, fearfulness of objects, inhibited response to fear Evolution of Human Behavior - Introduction o Sociobiology – concerned with evolutionary aspects of human behavior  EO Wilson (Darwin) – human social behaviors are genetically determined (evolution)o Assumptions  Genetically controlled behavior must be just, moral, socially desirable (MRSA) Critics attack idea that human behavior is genetically determined opting instead for environmental factors - Cultures o As brain size of humans increase Ability to function as groups increase Ability to cooperate increases Ability to use language increases  Social norms regarding rules of conduct developed  Procedures for obtaining, storing, defending food developed  Ability to protect home turf increased o Increased brain size (frontal cortical) Planning, evaluation of plans, strategies, and capacity for sharing through speech  Attributed to need to adapt to constantly changing climate – as climate changes,so does need for walking, standing erect, cooperative hunting, communication - Capacity for learning o Diversity of cultures across world  Allows for adaptation to local ecology  Allows for maintenance of social cohesiveness  Provides flexibility across ecosystems o Subcultures may emerge that serve to shelter members from conflicting information o Cultural innovations  Use of fossil fuels Domestication of animals  Development of agriculture o Maladaptive culture traits  adaptive  American Indians soak corn in lime  increases intestinal absorption of nutrients  Sacred cows in india  Biblical mandates – often origin of eating restrictions protected the populous - Pork – trichinosis parasitic norms o Kosher and Halal restrictions - Taboo against shell fish because filter feeders (Koran)- Evolutionary aspects of sexual preferences o Cultural beliefs regarding female beauty  Evolutionary psychology – more body fat means more resources to survive- During pregnancy and nursing - Inter-relations o Warfare – all humans seem capable of engaging in group aggression under certain circumstances  Typically economic competition with other groups for food, water, shelter (cultural differences exist) Religious differences (Crusades) Anthropological evidence – among early humanoids; tools, weapons, injury - Warfare among early species of man led to extinction of some species ofhumans - Social animal species and warfareo Lions, wolves, chimps, hyenas, wild dogs  Seems reduced when there is ample food, or harsh environment decimates human population to density below carrying capacity - Reduced when there are relatives in the rival group (dispersal)- Intermarriage encouraged between neighboring villages – decreases incestuous inbreeding and building bonds between groups (familiar groups might