PSYA01H3 Chapter 3: chapter 3
Document Summary
Understanding behaviour requires to learn about both proximate and ultimate causes of behaviour. Biological evolution - changes that take place in the genetic and physical characteristics in a population or group of organisms over time. Darwin"s concept, argues that over time organisms originate and become adapted to their environment by biological means. Became the dominant aspect of psy in north america. Adaptive significance- the effectiveness of behaviour in aiding organism to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Evolutionary psychology- new subfield of psych that studies how evolution and genetic variables influence adaptive behaviour. Ultimate causes-(latin- ultimatus to come to an end ) evolutionary events and conditions throughout the generations that have slow shaped our behaviours through time. Proximate causes- (latin- proximus near ) immediate environmental and condition variables that affect behaviour. Culture - sum of socially transmitted knowledge, customs and behaviour patterns common to a particular group of people.
