Evolutionary theories

Question 1

Biological evolution

Answer 1

changes that take place in the genetic and physical characteristics of a population or group of organism over time

Question 2

evolutionary psychology

Answer 2

investigates how evolutionary history contributes to the development of behaviour patterns and cognitive strategies related to reproduction and survival during life

Question 3

Charles Darwin

Answer 3

Developed the evolutionary theory

Question 4

Explanations of behaviours

Answer 4

ultimate causes, proximate causes

Question 5

ultimate causes

Answer 5

from the Latin ultimatus to come to an end

Events and conditions that over successive generations have slowly shaped the behaviour of our species

Question 6

proximate causes

Answer 6

from Latin proximus = near

Immediate environmental variables that affect behaviour

Question 7

adaptation

Answer 7

the ability of generations of species to adapt effectively to changes in the environment

Question 8

natural selection

Answer 8

the process whereby some variations in species will be transferred from one generation to the next but others will not

Question 9

variation

Answer 9

individual differences, in the behaviours they exhibit . This is partly due to variation in the genes

Question 10

Adaptive behaviours

Answer 10

help an organism survive and reproduce

Question 11

maladaptive behaviours

Answer 11

hinders survival and reproduction

Question 12

ecological niche

Answer 12

if dangerous environment it may pay too be neurotic, lots of opportunities it may pay to be extroverted

Depends on environment

Question 13

inheritance

Answer 13

genes transmitted from parents to offspring

Question 14

competition

Answer 14

different sets of genes end up in competition with one another, for which best help the organism survive

Question 15

Natural selection

Answer 15

variability within inheritance of traits and differential reproduction

Outlive and out produce other genes so live longer and reproduce more

Question 16

natural selection process

Answer 16

1. Some individuals have better characteristics
2. Become stronger and healthier - fitter
3. Have more offspring
4. Next generation has a higher proportion of the better characteristics
5. Many generations later, the whole species has changed to the new form

Question 17

Evolutionary theorists assume

Answer 17

features related to the human cognition, motivation, personality and behaviour are the result of natural selection. They are adaptations, inherited solutions to the survival and reproduction problems posed by the environment

Question 18

Phenotype and genotype interaction

Answer 18

over time, competition for food and other resources will allow only the best adapted phenotypes and their corresponding genotypes to survive

Question 19

genotype

Answer 19

genetic make up that differs from all other organisms (except identical twins). Each genes have different alleles

Question 20

phentoype

Answer 20

interaction of the genotype with the environment

Question 21

Sexual selection

Answer 21

Traits that individuals possess that gives them an advantage over others in the competition for mates. Reduced survival of peacocks tail is compensated by increase advantage in reproduction

Question 22

Sociobiology

Answer 22

the systematic study of the biological basis of all social behaviour sociobiologists are especially interested in understanding the evolutionary roots of our modern-day social actions, especially related to reproduction and parenting

Question 23

male attractiveness

Answer 23

height, broad shoulders and slim waist - inverted triangle waist to shoulder ratio 0,75, chest muscularity, normal level of testosterone; broad jaw and strong brow

Question 24

Female attractiveness

Answer 24

low waist-hip ratio: 0.7
Signals of fertility, physical health and not already pregnant, full lips, smooth skin, lustrous hair, symmetrical face, round breasts

Question 25

Mate selection

Answer 25

maximising chances of healthy offspring, men want younger mates, women prefer older partners. Differential parental investments - consequences of having a child is more for females than males, females are more selective in their choice of mates - female have less ova than men sperm - metabolic resources during pregnancy - discomfort and risk of death in childbirth - breast-feeding = more metabolic resources People should try to select a mate who would maximise their chances of having healthy offspring

Question 26

How do women assess their potential partner?

Answer 26

- economic resources - social status - ambition - dependability and stability - intelligence - compatibility (potential for sustaining the relationship) - love - commitments - size and strength - good health Ways to assess partner - quality of genes - good health, intelligence, strength - whatever they will devote resources to their children and not leave to produce children elsewhere

Question 27

What do men want?

Answer 27

- youth - beauty (health and fertility) - faithfulness /fidelity Men want to detect if their potential partner will provide them with a fast production of offspring and be faithful to them

Question 28

Infidelity

Answer 28

men: sexual infidelity jeopardise paternity certainty Women: emotional infidelity signal diversion to other women Men breaks up if sexual infidelity and women break up if emotional infidelity

Question 29

Altruistic behaviour

Answer 29

why individuals behave in an altruistic or selfless way may be contrary to own genetic or reproductive interest

Question 30

Inclusive fitness

Answer 30

natural selection favours organism which maximise replications of their genes not only directly by reproduction but also indirectly by helping those with whom they share genes

Question 31

kin selection

Answer 31

we are more willing to behave altruistically towards close relatives than towards strangers

Question 32

Evolution and trait theory

Answer 32

chapter 9, humans are social creatures and live in groups Certain personality traits allow members to cooperate to achieve goals and sort out problems