Evolutionary Perspectives Learning objectives 1 What are the two basic principles of evolution How is this related to natural selection in other words how are different traits or characteristics perpetuated within a species What is the role of genes in evolution a Survive to reproductive age b Reproduce do so i The species that survive to reproductive age have the traits to 1 Natural selection Pg 33 gradually selects those characteristics of organisms that promote survival and reproductive success a process whereby nature ii When they reproduce they pass those traits on to the offspring It is NOT survival of the fittest individual its survival of the fittest GENES 1 2 What is inclusive fitness Who would inclusive fitness predict we would save in an emergency a b An organisms overall total inclusive Inclusive fitness Pg 35 ability to maximize the replication of genes that designed it Inclusive fitness theory We share genes with family kin so in an emergency we would save the ones who are genetically closest to us in order to ensure that at least some of our genes get passed on i Example we would save a sibling before we saved an aunt 3 What are adaptations a Traits that exist in humans because they helped our ancestors survive reproduce thus becoming common in the gene pool 4 What are the three kinds of products of evolution Be able to describe and recognize examples of each a Adaptations b By products i Genes are responsible for adaptive characteristics i Side effects of adaptations 1 Philtrum the bridge between your nose and your lip a Ancestors used to have to use smell as their top sense this is a by product of that adaptation because now sight is our most used sense c Random noise i Feature that doesn t affect survival or reproduction 1 The shape of the earlobe 5 What does the EEA stand for According to paleoanthropologists what was the EEA like How did group life give humans an advantage in the EEA How does theory of mind enable people to function in groups a EEA the environment of evolutionary adaptations Pleistocene world within which human beings i EEA Pg 35 lived and evolved 1 Lived as foragers gathering fruits and vegetables and hunting prey 2 Group life a Enabled better protection and defense against predators and other neighboring groups b Pooled skills and resources c Aided in child raising and care 3 Theory of mind Pg 38 people have minds filled with desires and beliefs and that people act upon those desires and beliefs Basic understanding that other a Without theory of mind group life would be next to impossible they couldn t interact with each other 6 What is the cognitive niche and how did this provide humans with an advantage in the EEA a Cognitive Niche Pg 41 the particular position humans have evolved to occupy in the evolutionary landscape whereby their main adaptive advantage centered on the computational powers of the human mind i The human mind has evolved to allow humans to adapt to the many threats and challenges faced in the environment through mental manipulation of situations innovative strategies for obtaining goals analysis of situations reasoning etc 7 What is the general difference between survival and reproductive problems in the EEA Be able to provide and recognize examples of each type of problem specifically you should know the six survival and eight reproductive problems listed on page 41 and what they mean a Survival problems 1 Food shortages 2 Harsh climate 3 Disease 4 Parasites 5 Predators 6 Natural hazards b Reproductive problems 1 Successful intrasexual competition competition for the ability to have sex with a desirable member to allow for offspring 2 Mate selection individual must select the mate who have the greatest reproductive value to maximize the chance of their genes being passes on the next generation 3 Successful conception the individual must engage in the necessary social and sexual behaviors to ensure fertilization 4 Mate retention the individual must hold onto their mate to ensure that no one else have sex with said mate and to ensure that they don t become defective or get left behind 5 Reciprocal dyadic alliance formation the individual must develop a relationship with their mate through a certain degree of cooperation and reciprocity 6 Coalition building and maintenance the individual must get along with everyone who has the same interests to ensure relationships that will compete successfully with other groups 7 Parental care and socialization the individual must take actions that ensure the survival and reproductive success of offspring 8 Extra parental kin investment individual must sacrifice their own interests to ensure the survival of their family s offspring 8 Know the difference between proximate and ultimate distal explanations for behavior and be able to recognize examples of each Why does it happen here and now a Proximate b Ultimate Why does it happen at all i Example Social anxiety 1 Proximate it feels good to have friends and feels bad to be rejected 2 Ultimate If our ancestors weren t part of a group then their chances of surviving and reproducing were almost impossible 9 What are evolutionary explanations for aggression helping behavior and universal emotions a Aggression i Organized group killings was not uncommon in the EEA caused by being territorial in the EEA ii Humans are evolved to live in groups and groups are hierarchical 1 Hierarchy is an effect of aggression and dominance being aggressive got you the top spot and enabled you the first pick of resources mates etc iii Males are naturally more aggressive due to intrasexual competition b Helping behavior i e altruism i Getting along also meant getting ahead origins of altruism and morality come from group conditions of the EEA 1 Group value individuals depend on one another for food and defense 2 Mutual aid individuals cooperate with others in activities and engage in reciprocal exchange Inclusive fitness we help those similar to ourselves ii c Universal emotions i Facial expressions are universal and emotions help us toward reaching our adaptive goals 1 Example embarrassment showed others we know we messed up helping us preserve the relationships we needed to survive 10 What is the major sex difference with regards to sexual promiscuity reproductive strategies and qualities in a prospective sexual partner What are the different evolutionary explanations for these sex differences a Sexual promiscuity i Males it s too their adaptive advantage to
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