PSYCH 112 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Behavioural Genetics, Brain Size, Evolutionary Pressure
Document Summary
We change the environment for our own survival. The genes are central, not the organism. Not passing on genes, the gene is passing itself from parent to child. Passing of info = cumulative evolution: major transitions in evolution (maynard smith & szathm ry, 1995, 1999) Doesn"t change for all species (see written notes) Someone else has to help us (social) The emergence of the human mind: the human lineage. From chimpanzees (6-8 mill yrs) genes 90% similar. Hominin line: line since divergence from chimps. Fire: humans" major adaptation, larger brains, absolute size (de miguel & henneberg, 2001) Gradual increase, until recently where the increase was more rapid: relative size (henneberg & de miguel, 2004) But brain size is increasing at a faster ate. Evolutionary pressure to increase in size: early birthing (rosenberg & trevathan, 1995) Childhood is extensive (babies born half done) Hip bones restrict size of birth canal. Size of baby restricted by size of head.
