Download Evolutionary Psychology

History of Systems Psychology
PSY401
Tiffany Jubb, Joe Milillo, Jen
Mislinski, and Cesar Monzon
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Evolutionary Psychology (EP) is a psychology based upon evolutionary
biology. It studies behavior as a product of psychological mechanisms
(information-processing mechanisms), also called psychological
adaptations (Confer, et al., 2010).
A mechanism, and the corresponding neural substrate, are selected by a
species because it produces behavior that solves an adaptive problem;
each psychological mechanism is specific to a particular adaptive
problem, that is it is domain-specific rather than domain-general (Krill,
Platek, Goetz, & Shackelford, 2007). This means that mechanisms are
problem specific and no one can be generally applied to all problems
confronted in life.
Based upon evolutionary biology, EP is seen by its advocates a metatheory to psychology, building bridges between subdiciplines through
conceptual integration (Ploger, 2010).
Joe Milillo
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Empirical studies have come to show that psychological traits are shaped
by evolutionary forces just as physical traits have been (Krill, Platek,
Goetz, & Shackelford, 2007). Just as physiological adaptations solved
problems related to reproduction and survival, psychological adaptations
do the same (Confer, et al., 2010).
Applying evolution theories and understanding to psychology has
broadened our understanding of psychology. It allows for multiple
analysis of difficult problems using the psychology of nature/nurture and
biology. It aids in developing theories about behavior and social and
cognitive functioning (Geary, 2006).
EP has helped advance some treatments of mental disorders, such as
depression (Illardi et al., 2007). It also increases understanding of factors
in sexual harassment and assault, and guides legal initiatives to preventing
them (Confer, et al., 2010). Slowly, EP is beginning to be incorporated in
many sub-fields of psychology (Fitzgerald & Whitaker, 2010).
Joe Milillo
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Even with its promising insights, evolutionary psychology does
have its limitations. Limitations are both empirical phenomena that
cannot yet be explained using EP, as well as current conceptual
constraints. Examples of unexplained phenomena are homosexual
orientation and suicide, both of which do not fit the reproduction
and survival paradigm (Confer et al., 2010).
Conceptual constraints are a lack of detailed knowledge of natural
selection pressures and an insufficiency in explaining cultural and
individual differences. (Confer et. al, 2010).
These differences leave ample scope for further research to
advance the field.
Joe Milillo
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An integration of biological approaches and cognitive
neuroscience with evolutionary psychology has brought about a
new field of inquiry called evolutionary cognitive neuroscience
(ECN) (Fitzgerald and Whitaker, 2010). Evolutionary psychology is
able to describe mental functions, while cognitive neuroscience
provides the knowledge of the structures involved (Krill, Platek,
Goetz, & Shackelford, 2007).
ECN attempts to identify the neural mechanisms that have been
formed due to selection pressures and allows for a model to guide
empirical research on brain-behavior relationships. For example,
studies have found links between facial attractions and the reward
center in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), as well as other areas like the
anterior cingulate cortex and amygdala (Krill, Platek, Goetz, &
Shackelford, 2007).
Joe Milillo
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While most studies focus on aggression and mate-selection, other
aspects of evolutionary psychology and neuroscience that garners
some attention is altruism and empathy. In evolutionary theory,
natural selection processes have developed these emotions to
foster both social and individual survival and well-being (Decety &
Batson, 2009).
Many psychopathologies are characterized by a lack of empathy.
Various treatments, in one way or another, try to foster its
development (Decety & Batson, 2009).
There is increasing evidence that the brain is wired for social
connections. It is found that emotional connections are brought
about by empathy which motivates people to make altruistic
decisions, those that may create difficulty for an individual making
the decision, but alleviates it for others (De Waal, 2008).
Joe Milillo
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Evolutionary Psychology and Evolutionary Cognitive Neuroscience are
deepening the understanding of gender differences which allows for a
better understanding of mental and brain disorders (Cahill, 2009).
Neuroscience studies have found that there is no significant difference in
emotional reactivity between men and women, but that men are better
able at reappraisal of negative emotions, whereas women use more
positive emotion to down-regulate negative emotions (McRae, Ochsner,
Mauss, Gabrielle, & Gross, 2008).
Evolutionary Psychology research confirms that differences in attitudes
toward sex and mate-choosing exist. A meta-analysis on gender
differences studies between 1993 and 2007 found that most of these were
small with the exceptions being pornography use and causal sex. Nations
and ethnic groups that had great gender equality had smaller gender
differences. Also, as could be expected, any differences in sexual
behavior and attitudes decreased with age (Peterson & Hyde, 2010).
Joe Milillo
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Evolutionary Psychology is a growing subdisicipline, with much
research focusing on gender differences in mating. SOme studies
are coming up on other gender difference, but much is left open to
speculation. While I feel that EP needs to be factored into any
psychological theory and treatment, it is important not to get
fatalistic about its findings. As successful treatments, epigenetics
and neuroplasicity show we are not fated to just be instinctual
animals that walk up-right. Certainly, Buss' presentation is founded
on good research,even when he states that he has found some
cultural universality, but I have read an article by him and his
group that states many individual and cultural differences are still
left unexplained (Confer, et al., 2010). So, based on the two points
above, I think the Scientific American article was a bit unfounded
and lop-sided. They state that EP is a sort of "pop sociobiology"
which I found to be uninformed bias.
Joe Milillo
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Cahill, L. (2009). His brain, her brain. Special Editions, 20(3), 40-47.
Confer, J. C., Easton, J. A., Fleischman, D. S., Goetz, C. D., Lewis, D. M. G., Perilloux, C., & Buss, D. M.
(2010). Evolutionary psychology: Controversies, questions, prospects, and limitations. American
Psychologist, 65(2), 110.
De Waal, F. B. M. (2008). Putting the altruism back into altruism: The evolution of empathy. Annu. Rev.
Psychol., 59, 279-300.
Decety, J., & Batson, C. D. (2009). Empathy and morality: Integrating social and neuroscience
approaches. The Moral Brain, 109-127.
Fitzgerald, C. J., & Whitaker, M. B. (2010). Examining the acceptance of and resistance to
evolutionary psychology. Evolutionary Psychology.
Geary, D. C. (2006). Evolutionary developmental psychology: Current status and future directions.
Developmental Review, 26(2), 113-119.
Ilardi, S., Jacobson, J., Lehman, K., Stites, B., Karwoski, L., Stroupe, N., & Young, C. (2007). Therapeutic
lifestyle change for depression: Results from a randomized controlled trial.
Krill, A. L., Platek, S. M., Goetz, A. T., & Shackelford, T. K. (2007). Where evolutionary psychology
meets cognitive neuroscience: A precís to evolutionary cognitive neuroscience. Evolutionary
Psychology.
McRae, K., Ochsner, K. N., Mauss, I. B., Gabrieli, J. J. D., & Gross, J. J. (2008). Gender differences in
emotion regulation: An fMRI study of cognitive reappraisal. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations,
11(2), 143.
Petersen, J. L., & Hyde, J. S. (2010). A meta-analytic review of research on gender differences in
sexuality, 1993–2007. Psychological bulletin, 136(1), 21.
Ploeger, A. (2010). Evolutionary psychology as a metatheory for the social sciences. Integral Review.
Joe Milillo
Humans choose mates
based on attractiveness or
some level of fitness(not
just physical). The
personality traits you
inherited have been given
to you through the
process known as
selection and evolution.
(Nettle, 2006)
 Cesar
Monzon
What purpose does your personality serve?
There are many different personality evolution
perspectives. One perspective involves a trade off of
positive and negative aspects for each variation of
behavior(Nettle, 2006).
Extroversion is related to number of sexual partners but at
the same time results in an increase in risky activity with
other individuals or the environment(Nettle, 2006).
Neuroticism has benefits such as an increase in speed of
detecting threats as well as increasing competetativeness.
The negatives of such a trait are obvious stress, anxiety and
overall worse physical health(Nettle, 2006).
Cesar Monzon
continued
Openness-related to artistic creativity which in turn attracts more
mates. Prone to psychosis type disorders(Nettle, 2006).
Conscientiousness- sticks to long term plans, delays gratification.
Being overly conscientious can be obsessive lower overall fitness
by reducing mating opportunities(Nettle, 2006).
Agreeableness- Related to trust and cooperation with others, less
exposure to violence and more harmony. Lack of agreeableness
correlated with antisocial personality disorder(Nettle, 2006).
Cesar Monzon
Research by Rothen et al. (2009)
has shown that levels of a
personality trait (neuroticism)
show an association with the
offspring having a mood disorder.
Parents being unipolar or bipolar
is not associated with the
offsprings levels of of personality
traits (extraversion, psychoticism
or neuroticism). (Rothen et al.,
2009)
Cesar Monzon
Specific characteristics of
OCPD appear more often in
the parents of children with
OCD. The exact link has not
been found(Calvo et al., 2009).
"hoarding, perfectionism and
preoccupation with details" are
all specific characteristics
which appear more often in the
parents of OCD children.(Calvo
et al., 2009).
Cesar Monzon
Nettle, D. (2006). The evolution of personality variation
in humans and other animals. American Psychologist, 61(6), 622631.
Rothen, S., Vandeleur, C.L., Lustenberger, Y., Jeanpretre, N., Ayer,
E., Fornerod, D., . . . Gamma, F., (2009). Personality traits in
children of parents with unipolar and bipolar mood disorders.
Journal of Affective Disorders, (113), 133-141
Calvo, R., Lazaro, L., Castro-Fornieles, J., Font, E., & Moreno, E. &
Toro, J., (2009). Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder traits
and personality dimensions in parents of children with
obsessive-compulsive disorder. European Psychiatry, (24), 201206.
Cesar Monzon
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What are men and women attracted to?
(Campos, Otta & Siqueira, 2002) explored how men
and women responded to personal advertisements in
Brazil, also showing mate selection cross-culturally
Campos, Otta & Siqueira, 2002 data source were
personal ads taken from a daily Brazilian newspaper
– 807 advertisements were selected for analysis (411
females, 396 males)
Jen Mislinski
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Campos, Otta, & Siqueira, 2002, found that:
• Younger women were preferred (by men) over older
women
 Younger = more fertile
• Older men were preferred (by women) over younger
men
 Older = more successful, more resources
Jen Mislinski
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Buunk, Dijkstra, Fetchenhauer,& Kenrick, 2002 explored
mate preferences in 5 relationship situations
• Marriage, serious relationship, falling in love, casual
sex, and sexual fantasies
• 70 men, 67 women participated in the study (ranging
in age groups of 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60’s)
 Subjects were approached in public places and asked
to participate, then given questionnaires
Jen Mislinski
 Buunk,
Dijkstra, Fetchenhauer,& Kenrick, 2002
found that:
• both sexes seek mates who are higher in “mate
value” then they are themselves
• a mate for a sexual fantasy (compared with real
mates) is usually more physically attractive
• men have a higher value placed on physical
characteristics, and women on mate status and
personality characteristics (similar to Campos, Otta,
and Siqueira, 2002 findings)
Jen Mislinski
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In a similar study, Todosijevic, Ljubinkovic, & Arancic,
2003 asked 127 Serbian college students to rate the
desirability of 60 behavioral and personality traits of
the opposite sex
• found that men reported that they were more ready to tolerate
traits such as fearfulness, self-pity, and aggressiveness in women
• seriousness, independence, and enterprising were positively
rated by women (they would prefer men with these traits)
• traits having to do with physical appearance were highly valued
by men and traits having to do with strength were highly valued
by women
Jen Mislinski
 All
three of these studies suggest that
evolutionary psychology may play a role in
mate selection between the sexes.
 Additionally, all three studies showed that men
and women prefer different things
• Men=attractive women who are fertile
• Women=strong men who are successful or have
resources
Jen Mislinski
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I loved David Buss's talk on sexual conflict! He was very
engaging and entertaining, and I wasn't bored for even a
moment. The evolutionary prospective of sex differences
and adaptive problems was quite interesting. Buss gave a
few examples that I never thought about, such as genetic
cuckoldry. He mentioned that 9-13% of people have genetic
fathers who are different from the person believed to be
their father. He also discussed important causes of sexual
conflict. Many of his findings made a lot of sense and seem
to be obviously tied with evolution, for example men
wanting more sexual partners, and being more open to sex
when approached by a random woman. I also thought the
notion of female sexual deception was intriguing. I never
thought of it in depth, and I realized I am sometimes guilty of
it.
Jen Mislinski
 Buunk, B., Dijkstra, P., Fetchenhauer, D., & Kenrick, D. (2002).
Age and Gender Differences in Mate Selection Criteria for Various
Involvement Levels. Personal Relationships, 9, 271-278. Retrieved
April 26, 2011, from the Psych Info database.
 Campos, L., Otta, E., & Siqueira, J. (2002). Sex Differences in
Mate Selection Strategies: Content Analyses and Responses to
Advertisements in Brazil. Evolution and Human Behavior, 23, 395406. Retrieved April 26, 2011, from the Psych Info database.
 Todosijevic, B., Ljubinkovic, S., & Arancic, A. (2003). Mate
Selection Criteria: A Trait Desirability Assessment Study of Sex
Differences in Serbia. Evolutionary Psychology, 1, 116-126.
Retrieved April 26, 2011, from the Psych Info database.
Jen Mislinski
 Ancestral
men who failed to identify
infidelity in a relationship often faced the
risk of being cuckolded, “the unwitting
investment of resources into genetically
unrelated offspring (Goetz & Causey, 2009).”
 Researchers have hypothesized that, in
response to cuckolding, men are more likely
to detect infidelity in partners than are
women in order to prevent the risks
associated with being cuckolded.
Tiffany Jubb
 Some
of the risks associated with being
cuckolded include the failure to reproduce
(Andrews, Gangestad, Miller, Haselton,
Thornhill & Neale, 2008), as well as
“misdirection of the male's time, effort, and
recourses to rearing a rival's offspring, loss
of time, effort, and resources the man spent
attracting his partner, and reputational
damage if such information becomes known
to others (Goetz & Causey, 2009).”
Tiffany Jubb
 Research
conducted by Goetz and Causey
(2009) tested the hypothesis that men are
more likely to suspect infidelity in
relationships than women because the risks
associated with infidelity are higher for
men.
 Through participants’ self-reports, Goetz
and Causey (2009) found that not only did
men report a higher likelihood of
committing infidelity than women, but men
also overestimated the probability of being
cheated on.
Tiffany Jubb
Andrews, Gangestad, Miller, Haselton, Thornhill, and
Neale (2008) investigated the difference in infidelity
detection between men and women.
 In order to do this, researchers asked couples to
separately complete private questionnaires and
report whether or not they had committed “extrapair
copulation [EPC] (Andrews et al., 2008)” and if they
believed their partner had ever committed EPC.
 Researchers found that, if self-report was accurate
and honest, men accurately detected EPC 10%
better than women.
 Additionally, men presented more false positive
(wrongly assumed EPC) detection than women.
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Tiffany Jubb
Brand, Markey, Mills, and Hodges (2007) compared
the differences between men and women in regards
to detecting cheating, participating in infidelity, and
the reasons behind cheating.
 Researchers found that women reported being
infidelite more often than men, and that men were
more likely to suspect infidelity than women.
 It was also found that men and women cheat for
different reasons. Women tend to commit infidelity as
a way of “mate-switching” while men are typically
“pursuing a quantity-over quality strategy (Brand, et
al., 2007)” which is consistent with the hypothesis
that men cheat for sexual variety.
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Tiffany Jubb
Evolutionary psychology is one of four
sciences that are bringing human nature
back into the picture.
- Steven Pinker
Tiffany Jubb
Andrews, P.W., Gangestad, S.W., Miller, G.F., Haselton, M.G.,
Thornhill, R, & Neale, M. C. (2008). Sex differences in
detecting sexual infidelity: results of a maximum likelihood
method for analyzing the sensitivity of sex differences to
underreporting. Human Nature, 19, 347-373.
Brand, R.J., Markey, C.M., Mills, A., & Hodges, S.D. (2007). Sex
differences in self-reported infidelity and its correlates. Sex
Roles, 51, 101-109.
Goetz, A.T., & Causey, K. (2009). Sex differences in perceptions
of infidelity: men often assume the worst. Evolutionary
Psychology, 7(2), 253-263.
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/psychology.ht
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Tiffany Jubb