EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY Meaning and
Definition
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Evolutionary psychology is a branch of psychology that seeks to understand and explain human behavior and mental processes through the lens of evolutionary principles. It seeks to explore how natural selection has shaped the human mind and the psychological mechanisms that have developed as a result of adaptive evolution.
This field argues that human behaviors and cognitive processes are influenced by ancestral adaptations that were beneficial for survival and reproduction in our evolutionary history. It assumes that the human mind consists of a collection of innate cognitive modules, or mental structures, which have evolved over time to solve specific adaptive problems.
Evolutionary psychologists study various aspects of human behavior, such as parental care, mate selection, aggression, language acquisition, and cooperation, among others. They hypothesize that these behaviors are not solely products of socialization or cultural influences but are instead influenced by evolved psychological mechanisms that have been shaped by natural selection.
By examining how these psychological mechanisms have been shaped by evolution, evolutionary psychologists aim to gain insights into the adaptive functions and origins of various human behaviors. They also investigate cross-cultural similarities and differences to understand universal human behavior patterns and identify common underlying mechanisms.
Evolutionary psychology draws from various disciplines, including biology, anthropology, psychology, and cognitive science, to develop theories and conduct empirical research. This interdisciplinary approach allows researchers to investigate the evolutionary foundations of human behavior and contribute to our understanding of the complexities of the human mind.
Etymology of EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY
The term "evolutionary psychology" consists of two components: "evolutionary" and "psychology".The word "evolutionary" is derived from the Latin word "evolutio", meaning "unrolling" or "unfolding". It traces back to the French word "évolution", which was used in the early 17th century to denote the "unfolding of a plan". It gained its biological sense in the mid-19th century, associated with Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. "Evolution" refers to the gradual development and change of organisms over generations.The word "psychology" also has its roots in Greek. It comes from the Greek words "psyche" (meaning "soul" or "mind") and "logia" (meaning "study" or "knowledge"). The term emerged in the late 16th century, referring to the study of the mind and behavior.
