EVOLUTIONARY THEORY

EVOLUTIONARY THEORY

1. Natural Selection

   • "Those members of a species who have characteristics which are better suited to the environment will be more likely to breed, and thus to pass on these traits"

2. Sexual Selection

   • "A facet of natural selection, sexual selection is how the "best mate" is chosen to produce and protect the most healthy offspring."

3. Intrasexual Selection

   • "Competition between one sex (usually males) for access to mates. Usually the "strongest" ends up being able to pass on his (or her) genes."

4. Intersexual Selection

   • "Members of one sex (usually females) choose members of another sex based on a specific characteristic - dance, great feathers or an amazing jawline."

5. Studies

   • Shackelford & Larsen (1997)
   • Low (1990)
   • Gangestad & Schmitt (1993)
   • Atkinson et al (2012)
   • Buss (1989)

6. Limitations

   • Based on the assumption that behaviors are inherited
   • Difficult to test empirically - Confirmation bias (they see what they expect to see)
   • Highly artificial and Lack of ecological validity
   • Generalizations from animals to human beings
   • Underestimate the role of cultural influences and learning in shaping behavior
   • It is REDUCTIONIST

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