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Download Evolutionary Psychology - College of Humanities and Social and
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Controversies over Evolutionary Psychology Overview of The Day Criticisms of Evolutionary Theory Criticisms of Evolutionary Psychology Criticisms of Evolutionary Theory It’s just a theory The evidence is weak How can you prove a theory when the evidence is all in the past Responses No theory is ever completely proven. Must be stated so that it can be disproved (“Falseifiability”) Weight of empirical evidence Fossil record Similarities among species Contemporaneous studies Grants’ study of Darwin’s finches the Flynn effect Compressed evolution with fruit flies Computer simulations Religious Criticisms Idea of intelligent design and creator Literal interpretation of scriptures People are apart from natural world (great chain of being) Famous Scopes trial Responses Creation as process (rather than product) in not incompatible with religion Are we part of the natural world? Is there a great chain of being from lower to higher (and better) forms? We share about 95% of our genes with chimpanzees We have about 30,000 genes, rice has about 70,000 Religion involves matters of faith and morality; science involves theories about about the natural world based on empiricism Religion and science are different spheres Religion: Right and wrong; good and evil Science: What is, why, and how it works Fears over Evolutionary Psychology 1. If some differences are biological, then this could justify oppression. 2. If aggression in innate, then we might begin to view violence as natural and acceptable. 3. Psychological mechanisms imply lack of free will and abdication of responsibility Fear 1: biological differences could justify oppression EP’s response: Scientific and philosophical views of all stripes have been used to justify oppression Marxism emphasizes blank slate and equality Most biological differences among humans are trivial (humans are similar in most ways) Two people selected at random share about 99.98% of their genes Group differences do not imply individual differences Fear 1: biological differences could justify oppression Fairness does not require sameness Equality under the law Voting rights Laws against discrimination Sex, race, religion, ethnicity, age Knowledge of one’s own personal uniqueness can be liberating What about social Darwinism? Are the rich rich and the poor poor because of innate characteristics? EP’s response High level of upward and downward social mobility(about 50% of families change position in income quintiles every decade) Only about one sixth of a male’s SES can be explained by genetic factors Reproduction is the currency of natural selection, not wealth Fear 2: If aggression is innate, this could lead to viewing violence as natural EP’s Response The naturalistic fallacy (if it exists, it must be good) is just that: a fallacy. Just because something exists does not mean that it is good or moral. Fear 2: If aggression is innate, this could lead to viewing violence as natural Deal with aggression with a realistic view of human nature, not a romantic ideal People have both base and noble instincts Trust people but cut the cards Balance of power and institutions to deal with conflict Is Modern Civilization Responsible for Aggression and Violence? Among pre-agricultural peoples often, 1/2 of men have killed someone battles more frequent causalities are proportionally higher prisoners are fewer Fear 3: Psychological mechanisms imply lack of free will and abdication of responsibility “Don’t blame me, my genes made me do it.” (sleeping around, murder, oppression) EP’s response This argument is fallacious it can be raised by any explanation of behavior Twinkie Defense, Abuse Excuse Confusing explanation with exculpation To understand is not to forgive Fear 3: Psychological mechanisms imply lack of free will and abdication of responsibility Many evil regimes have been based on a core belief that human nature is malleable and that people can be socialized to do anything. Many fears about EP are based on Misunderstandings of EP Misunderstandings: Human behavior is genetically determined If it’s evolutionary, we can’t change it Current mechanisms are optimally designed Critics of EP Utopian visionaries Social engineers Professional advice-givers Management consultants Child care “experts” Summary Criticisms of Evolutionary Theory Criticisms of Evolutionary Psychology Critics Misunderstandings
