Slide 1ObjectivesEvolutionary Psychology & Personality…Slide 4What’s the “Environment” in Evolutionary Psychology?Brain size has increased dramatically…Slide 7Slide 8Yikes!Yuck!Slide 11Slide 12Slide 13Slide 14Slide 15Slide 16Evolutionary Explanations for Sex Differences.Slide 18Evolutionary Explanations for Sex Differences..Slide 20Some Universal Mate Prefs?Slide 22Slide 23“Universal” Facial Expressions (Useful for group life)Slide 25Slide 26Slide 27Brains of Those Excluded from Social Groups Show “Pain”Slide 29Slide 30Slide 31Several possible reasons….Several possible reasons….Several possible reasons….Fast LH and Slow LH species vs. Fast LH and Slow LH reactionsIntro to Learning-Based ApproachesIntro to Learning-Based ApproachesLearning-Based ApproachesBehaviorismThe Philosophical Roots of BehaviorismThe Philosophical Roots of BehaviorismEnded here 3/16/16© 2013 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.The Personality PuzzleSixth Editionby David C. Funder Psychology of PersonalityLecture 16: 3/16/16Inheritance of Personality, con’tIntro to Learning Approaches Stephanie Federspiel, Ph.D.1Objectives•Discuss several examples of how an evolutionary psychology perspective has informed research and theorizing concerning some aspects of human universals and individual differences. •Present an initial overview of learning theory and its applications to understanding personality.Evolutionary Psychology & Personality…•Like “physical” adaptations, psychological adaptations exist, (“evolved psychological mechanisms”)•and they are instantiated in the brain.3Domain SpecificSpecific, recurrent problemsDomain GeneralGeneral challenges•Domain general: capacity for learning, memory, flexible behavioral responses. •Domain specific: specialized information processing devices (modules)InputsDecision RulesOutputs5What’s the “Environment” in Evolutionary Psychology?–It’s a social one: Small Hunter-Gatherer groups•Social life = Benefits & Challenges!–We adapted to Get along, Get ahead…–It involves a “Cognitive Niche”•Powerful, but costly, large, immature brain –Language & Flexibility in behavior (planning, memory)–Dependence on social learning, culture..Brain size has increased dramatically…ardipithecus brain size: 300 ccs Australopithe-cus brain size: 310-530 ccs homo habilis brain size: 580-752 ccshomo erectus brain size: 775-1225 ccsNeandertal brain size: 1200-1450 ccsmodern human brain size: 1350 ccs7Things to remember when thinking about possible evolved psychological mechs1. Motivation + emotion, not conscious strategy.8YUM!Yikes!Yuck!1011Things to remember when thinking about possible evolved psychological mechs2. They are functional; they continue to exist because they meet a specific, recurrent adaptive challenge.12Yikes!13Things to remember when thinking about possible evolutionary influences…3. A Distal/Ultimate Explanation (“Why”)Not a moral explanation or justification!--Natural ≠ Good Not a mechanistic explanation --Still need to understand development --Social structure has important influencesThe environment still matters (learning, culture)- ---Mismatches w/ modern life can occur!14Yikes!1516Things to remember when thinking about possible evolutionary influences…4. Variation = an extra challenge to explain….Evolutionary Explanations for Sex Differences.•“Universal” Sex differences canbe explained by differences in parental investment of Energy and opportunity (F > M) and parental certainty (F > M). -Jealousy (triggers, intensity)-Desire for sexual variety-Aggression-Mate preferences (resources/status; attractive?)-But culture matters—equality reduces these diffs!•Which would distress or upset you more?Imagining your partner forming a deep emotional attachment to that personOrImagining your partner enjoying passionate sexual intercourse with that person.18Evolutionary Explanationsfor Sex Differences..Biological determinism or social structure?–Aspects of social structure matter!–Theoretical importance–Practical importance23Share of husbands whose wives’ income top theirs in 1970Share of husbands whose wives’ income top theirs in 20074% 22%Changes in Educational and Income Differences Between Husbands and Wives24© 2016 W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.Some Universal Mate Prefs?•Similarity of selection pressures related to reproduction support some M/F similarities.We all value….Health (e.g., clear skin, having teeth)Kindness, Trustworthiness22Which isMostAttractive?Some Psychological Adaptations for Group Life•Understanding others–Language capacity•Still depends on early experience!!!–Universal Emotions•Important, classic data•Some modern data are contradictory…–Surprise?“Universal” Facial Expressions(Useful for group life)24EmbarrassmentHAPPY SUPRISE FEARSADANGRYDISGUST INTERESTSome Psychological Adaptations for Group Life•Understanding others–Capacity Theory of Mind•Others have minds, contents differ.•Allows deception, empathy•Gossip can be a powerful tool!!!•Concern w/“Reputation”, self-presentationSome Psychological Adaptations for Group Life•Motivated to be with others•“Need” to Belong (and get along!)–Attachment & Bonding systems–Social exclusion “hurts” using pain/distress prior adaptationsBrains of Those Excluded from Social Groups Show “Pain”Social Rejection Manipulations Rejection in a ball toss game“Predicted” future alone Rejection by potential collaboratorsSome Psychological Adaptations for Group Life•Motivated to be with others•“Need” to Belong (and get along!)–Self-esteem matters + fluctuates •Sociometer theory: Index of social value, acceptance. Links with self-regulation, aggression•Functional role for depressive symptoms?Some Psychological Adaptations for Group Life•Able to get along and get ahead : Our behaviors are both instinctive and flexible, and affected by social learning. •Flexible/Controlled Aggression•We have violence inhibition mechanisms•Societal sanctions/rules are very important•Flexible/Controlled Altruism•Inclusive fitness (bio relative’s genes matter!)• and a way to gain status (lower risk situations)Why is there so much heritable* variation in personality traits?*accounted for by genetic variation31Several possible reasons….1) Irrelevant to “fitness” (genetic contribution)?2) Fluctuating selection? (Nettle Article!)What’s adaptive depends on