Module 15 REVIEW

• 15-1 How do evolutionary psychologists use natural selection to explain behavior tendencies?

• Evolutionary psychologists seek to understand how our traits and behavior tendencies are shaped by natural selection as genetic variations increasing the odds of reproducing and surviving are most likely to be passed on to future generations.
• Some genetic variations arise from mutations (random errors in gene replication), others from new gene combinations at conception.
• Humans share a genetic legacy and are predisposed to behave in ways that promoted our ancestors’ surviving and reproducing.
• Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution is an organizing principle in biology. He anticipated today’s application of evolutionary principles in psychology.

• 15-2 How might an evolutionary psychologist explain male-female differences in sexuality and mating preferences?

• Women tend to be more selective than men when choosing sexual partners.
• Evolutionary psychologists reason that men’s attraction to multiple healthy, fertile-appearing partners increases their chances of spreading their genes widely.
• Because women incubate and nurse babies, they increase their own and their children’s chances of survival by searching for mates with the potential for long-term investment in their joint offspring.

• 15-3 What are the key criticisms of evolutionary explanations of human sexuality, and how do evolutionary psychologists respond?

• Critics argue that evolutionary psychologists (1) start with an effect and work backward to an explanation, (2) do not recognize social and cultural influences, and (3) absolve people from taking responsibility for their sexual behavior.
• Evolutionary psychologists agree that genes are not destiny, and respond that understanding our predispositions can help us overcome them. They also cite the value of testable predictions based on evolutionary principles, which is the scientific goal of evolutionary psychology.

• 15-4 What is included in the biopsychosocial approach to development?

• Individual development results from the interaction of biological, psychological, and social-cultural influences.
• Biological influences include our shared human genome; individual variations; prenatal environment; and sex-related genes, hormones, and physiology.
• Psychological influences include gene-environment interactions; the effect of early experiences on neural networks; responses evoked by our own characteristics, such as gender and personality; and personal beliefs, feelings, and expectations.
• Social-cultural influences include parental and peer influences, cultural traditions and values, and cultural gender norms.

Multiple-Choice Questions

1. The interaction of biological influences, psychological influences, and social-cultural influences on our behavior is known as
   1. evolutionary psychology.
   2. epigenetics.
   3. the biopsychosocial approach.
   4. consciousness.
   5. natural selection.
2. Which of the following best describes genetic mutation?
   1. Random errors in gene replication
   2. The study of the mind’s evolution
   3. The study of behavioral evolution
   4. Passing on successful, inherited traits
   5. Survival of the genetically successful
3. Which of the following is true regarding the initiation of sexual activity?
   1. Men are more likely to initiate sexual activity than women.
   2. Women are more likely to initiate sexual activity than men.
   3. The initiation of sexual activity for both men and women correlates with how many television sitcoms they viewed as children.
   4. Men and women are equally likely to initiate sexual activity.
   5. Who initiates sexual activity is largely determined by culture.

Practice FRQs

1. Explain how evolutionary psychologists and the concept of social scripts would explain differences in mate selection by men.

Answer

1 point: Evolutionary psychologist would argue that men, in general, choose mates who are younger than they are and are able to have many children. Page 146

1 point: Social scripts would explain that the choice of one’s mate can be determined by cultural scripts and that child bearing may not be the determining factor. Page 146

2. Explain how the nature–nurture debate could be used to support each element of the biopsychosocial approach to explaining human behavior.

(3 points)