PSYA01H3 Lecture Notes - Allosome, Gregor Mendel, Behavioural Genetics
Document Summary
Darwin said, organisms originate and become adapted to their environments by biological means over time. Biological evolution: changes that take place characteristics of a population or group of organisms over time. Adaptive significance: the effectiveness of behavior in aiding organisms to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Ultimate causes: evolutionary conditions that have slowly shaped the behavior of a species over generations. Proximate causes: immediate environmental events and conditions that affect behavior (psychologists are interested in both causes) Sexual behaviors of gerbils clard and galef have trace this difference between males to the presence or absence of testosterone during the gestation period. (males who are better sexual performers and males who are better parents. The selective value of both strategies over the long history of gerbil evolution maintains this difference) We are members of the human species-an ultimate cause. And we have learned to act in special ways-a proximate cause. Both biology and environment contribute to our personal development.
