HREQ 1800 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: B. F. Skinner, Erik Erikson, Mind

• School: York University
• Department: Human Rights and Equity Studies
• Course: HREQ 1800
• Professor: Professor L.Visano

Document Summary

Theorizing the pre and non-sociological child:the familiar nature- nurture debate. Europe - age of enlightenment - marked by questioning of religious authority and the rise of science. Increasing emphasis on understanding the laws of nature and subsequently, attempts at understanding how the social world works. Charles darwin - the blueprint of behaviour and appearance lies on genes, genes vary randomly. Some traits and characteristics are better suited for some environments. Over time some traits are seen to be normal in that species. Social darwinists aka social biologists or biological determinists. Evolutionary psychology - psychological characteristics like biological characteristics have evolved over a long period of time and should be seen as adaptations to the social and ecological circumstances that characterise human existence. Main tenet - human mind comprises a collection of psychological adaptations, which arose through the process of natural selection.