LING 1200 Lecture 13: Lecture 13

• School: University of Manitoba
• Department: Linguistics
• Course: LING 1200
• Professor: Erin L.Wilkinson

Document Summary

For a trait to increase in frequency within members of a species it must promote the transmission of genes to future generations. Such traits are known as increasing reproductive fitness. Not individual ability to survive better ones ability to reproduce. Traits that decrease the likelihood of personal survival, but increase reproductive fitness will increase in frequency. Ex: the peacock"s tail males show this trait, makes them prime target for predators, but that"s what females want, males risks getting eaten for sexual success. The motive to be successful in reproduction is not to ensure the survival of a group (humans, canadians) Its to ensure the genetic survival for individuals. Not fighting for species, fighting for individual members of a species. Traits that help us win against them will only increase in frequency if those traits favour the reproductive success of individuals. Ex: discrimination in favour of your in group.