Download Lecture 1 - UCSB Anthropology

Evolutionary Psychology (EP)
The evolutionary biology of mind, brain and
behavior.
Synthesis of:
evolutionary biology
biological anthropology
psychology
cognitive neuroscience
NOT a subfield of psychology, but a different
approach to the entire field.
Differences between EP and traditional
psychology.
A. Proximate versus ultimate (Tinbergen)
B. Role of experience and culture (the SSSM)
The Standard Social Science Model (SSSM)
1. The human mind is a blank slate (tabula
rasa).
2. Biological constraints on human behavior
are minimal.
3. Human behavior is shaped by (one or a
very few) general-purpose learning
mechanisms.
Critique of the SSSM
1. A blank slate could not respond to
experience because it would have no rules
for responding.
2. The nature/nurture (genes/environment,
innate/learned) dichotomy is false with
respect to ontogeny (development).
3. General-purpose learning mechanisms
cannot explain behavior.
Critique of the SSSM (continued)
4. Artificially separates natural and social
sciences.
5. Lacks an overarching theory of design.
What is human nature?
SSSM: a blank slate on which (arbitrary)
culture and experience make their mark.
EP: a large collection of specialized modules
built by selection to address the specific
challenges that faced our ancestors over
human evolution.