Misunderstanding Evolutionary Theory and Psychology

1. Misunderstanding Evolutionary Theory and Psychology Help students debunk common misconceptions about evolution theory

2. True or False? If one believes in evolution, then that means one also believes in genetic determinism (defined as the doctrine that only genes control behavior with virtually no room for environmental influence). 2) Evolution theory implies that behavior cannot be changed. 3) Evolutionary psychology claims that the current collection of adaptive mechanisms that make up humans are “optimally designed.” 4) Evolutionary theory does not believe that the main motivation of human behavior is to maximize gene reproduction.

3. Evolutionary Psychology: Understanding Human Nature Evolutionary psychology studies why we as humans are alike. In particular, it studies the evolution of behavior and mind using principles of natural selection.

4. Natural Selection Natural selection is an evolutionary process through which adaptive traits are passed on to ongoing generations because these traits help animals survive and reproduce.

5. Artificial Selection Biologists like Belyaev and Trut (1999) were able to artificially rear and domesticate wild foxes, selecting them for friendly traits. L.N. Trur, American Scientist (1999) 87: 160-169 Any trait that is favored naturally or artificially spreads to future generations.

6. Human Traits A number of human traits have been identified as a result of pressures afforded by natural selection. Why do infants fear strangers when they become mobile? Why do people fear spiders and snakes and not electricity and guns? How are men and women alike? How and why do men’s and women’s sexuality differ?

7. Human Sexuality Gender Differences in Sexuality Males and females, to a large extent, behave and think similarly. Differences in sexes arise in regards to reproductive behaviors.

8. Natural Selection & Mating Preferences Natural selection has caused males to send their genes into the future by mating with multiple females since males have lower costs involved. However, females select one mature and caring male because of the higher costs involved with pregnancy and nursing.

9. Mating Preferences Males look for youthful appearing females in order to pass their genes into the future. Females, on the other hand, look for maturity, dominance, affluence and boldness in males. Data based on 37 cultures.

10. Critiquing the Evolutionary Perspective Evolutionary psychologists take a behavior and work backward to explain it in terms of natural selection. Evolutionary psychology proposes genetic determinism and undercuts morality in establishing society. Where genders are unequal, gender preferences are wide, but when they are closely equal, preferences narrow down.

11. Evolutionary Psychologists Reply Evolutionary psychologists argue that we need to test behaviors that expound evolutionary principles. Evolutionary psychologists remind us how we have adapted, but do not dictate how we ought to be. Males and females are more alike than different, and if we study these differences we can establish their causes.

12. ANSWERS • 1) If one believes in evolution, then that means one also believes in genetic determinism (defined as the doctrine that only genes control behavior with virtually no room for environmental influence). FALSE: The first important misconception is that evolution implies genetic determinism. This is the doctrine that only genes control behavior with virtually no room for environmental influence. To the contrary, argues Buss, evolutionary theory states that human behavior cannot occur without (1) evolved adaptations and (2) environmental influences that stimulate the development and activation of those adaptations. Buss uses the simple illustration of calluses. They cannot occur without both an evolved callus-producing adaptation and an environmental influence involving repeated rubbing of the skin.

13. Evolution theory implies that behavior cannot be changed. FALSE: A second common misconception is that evolutionary theory implies that behavior cannot be changed. To the contrary, knowledge of our evolved adaptations and the environmental influences that activate them give us enormous power to change, if that is our goal. For example, men have lower thresholds than women for inferring sexual intent from a woman’s smile, and they can use this information to reduce the number of unwanted sexual advances they make toward women. This does not mean that behavioral change comes easily, but knowledge about our evolved psychology does give us more power to alter our behavior when change is desired.

14. Evolutionary psychology claims that the current collection of adaptive mechanisms that make up humans are “optimally designed.” FALSE Evolutionary psychology does not claim that the current collection of adaptive mechanisms that make up humans are in any way “optimally designed.” Evolutionary time lags constitute one constraint on optimal design. The environment keeps changing but evolutionary change occurs slowly. Existing humans are better designed for earlier environments of which they are a product. The cost of adaptation is a second constraint on optimal design. For example, we might imagine natural selection building into humans such a severe fear of snakes that they never go outside. The fear would prevent snake bites but at a prohibitively high cost. Selection favors benefits that are greater than the costs relative to other possible designs.

15. Evolutionary theory does not believe that the main motivation of human behavior is to maximize gene reproduction. TRUE Finally, evolutionary theory does not argue that organisms have as a goal, either consciously or unconsciously, the motivation to maximize gene reproduction. Buss states, “Differential goal replication caused by differences in design is the causal process responsible for creating fundamental human motivations. But the motives and goals we have as products of this evolutionary process do not embody the process itself.” The products of natural selection tend to be problem specific, for example, to avoid predators, stay warm, find a mate, have sex, and help kin. The product of evolution is not, and cannot be, the desire to maximize gene reproduction.