Psychology 3228 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Evolutionary Medicine, Evolutionary Arms Race, Anxiety Disorder

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 3228
• Professor: Scott Mac Dougall- Shackleton

Document Summary

An idea that has been around since 1980s. Started by george williams: interested in applying evolution to medicine it is really important for physicians to have an understanding of evolution. Must understand the causes of the diseases as well as the mechanisms of illness. What is causing disease& what we can do about it if you understand a little about evolution, it will help you in both the causes and mechanisms. Understand that infectious diseases are living populations and they evolve (very rapidly) trying to understand and distinguish the symptoms from the diseases the symptoms may be adaptive so must be careful when trying to treat the symptoms. We are co-evolving with our pathogens and are stuck in an evolutionary arms race. Designed compromises: trade-offs, if we have a advantageous trait, it may provide a disadvantage somewhere else. If there are genetic disorders, there are many ways they can be maintained in an environment without going extinct.