PSYC56H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Paleontology, Serenade, Divje Babe Flute
Document Summary
Evolution does not dictate or behavior; it selects which behaviors are likely to be passed on to subsequent generations, and it selects only those that have a genetic component. Evolution proceeds by selecting traits that are adaptive to an organism"s environment. Certain traits adaptions evolve because they contribute to the survival of individuals that bear them. When discussing possible evolutionary origins for musical behaviors, the question is not: But rather: what advantages are conferred on those individuals who exhibit musical behaviors over those who do not? . Before discussing possible evolutionary views of music"s origins, we need to consider two complicated points of view: music is a form of non-adaptive pleasure seeking, music is an evolutionary vestige. Most pleasure activities, such as eating and sex, have clear links to survival they stimulate brain mechanisms that are specifically evolved to reward and thus encourage adaptive behaviour.
