PSYC 110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: 5 Fingers, Reward System, Phenotype
7 Sep 2016
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The four principles of evolution by natural selection: there is an overproduction of offspring in every generation. Not everyone gets to be a winner: there is a variation of features or traits within members of the same generation, individual differences are passed on from one generation to the next. This can be shown on a bell curve: individuals with collections of traits that fit well in the time period and environment will pass on their genes to the surviving generation. Adrenaline, strong bones, claws, fur, webbed feet, etc. Fight or flight, migration, hibernation, hunting, technology, etc. Genes cannot produce or control behavior directly. Instead, they directly contribute to the development of various brain systems via their ability to create proteins. There is always some sort of interaction between genes and the environment: example: Songbirds their genes, plus the season, creates a growth in the memory area (hippocampus) which means they are able to sing more songs in the spring/summer.
