PSYC14H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Counterintuitive, Fecundity, Homo Erectus
Document Summary
Evolution biological evolution: replication of genes: natural selection, sexual selection. Biological genes analogous to cultural memes longevity- long period of time of advantageous genes. Fecundity- popularity of genes that can repeat for a long time, Cultural evolution: replication of ideas: communicable ideas spread- able to understand the language, universal expression through dance, proximity in order to communicate, useful ideas spread- let me tell you advise unsolicited advise. Provides connection, increase efficiency: emotional ideas spread helps bonding, minimally counterintuitive ideas spread- easier to remember and way counterintuitive ideas are hard to maintain attention. These generalizations describe the contexts in which almost all of human evolution and history have occurred. Hunter gatherer adaptedness: groups were usually small, they were usually nomadic , daily life involved physical challenge, disease produced high rates of mortality, most activities occurred in highly social contexts, privacy was limited, conflicts dealt with thru extensive group discussions- sometimes ended in homicide.
