PSYC18H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Neocortex, Lust, Semi-Arid Climate
Document Summary
Elements of an evolutionary approach: darwin described the 3 processes of evolution: 1 superabundance: animals and plants produce more offspring than are necessary merely to reproduce themselves. 2 variation: each offspring is somewhat different than others, and differences are passed on by heredity. 3 selection: those characteristics that allow better adaptation to the environment are selected because they enable survival, and hence are passed on. Features of physical and social environment in which humans evolved that determined whether individuals survived and reproduced. Involve threats or opportunities directly related to physical survival: two kinds of sexual selection pressures: Process by which one sex selects specific kinds of traits in the other sex. Exaptation: a trait that acquires a new function: andrew proposed how facial expressions in primates were developed from reflexes, ex. Flattening of ears when startled when originally it was meant to protect the ears: eibl-eibesfeldt showed that raising of eyebrows occurs when people greet or flirt with each other.
