The Evolutionary Psychology Key Points Essay

Exclusively available on IvyPanda Available only on IvyPanda
Updated: Mar 21st, 2024

Introduction

The meaning of evolutionary psychology: Evolutionary approach to psychology helps us explain phenomena at a deer level of understanding and provide logical tools that help us develop new theories or deduce new hypothesis.

We will write a custom essay on your topic a custom Essay on The Evolutionary Psychology Key Points
808 writers online

Evolutionary psychology proves to be a valuable means of discovering new truths about how the human mind works

The meaning of gene’s eye view:

Gene’s eye view of life refers to an evolutionary, psychological theory proposed by biologist Richard Dawkins. The theory sees living things as mere avenues/vehicles for the replication of the genetic materials (Dawkins, 1976).

Altruism: the action of favoring other individuals at the expense of the altruist (Wyschogrod, 1990).

  • Body

An explanation of how gene’s eye view helps us to understand the evolutionary origins of human altruism.

  • An explanation of how gene’s eye view helps people predict unique circumstances under which people’s altruistic behaviors vary.

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology “is an approach to psychology in which knowledge and principles from evolutionary biology become useful in research on the structure of the human mind” (Cosmides &Tooby, 1997). Thus, research in evolutionary Biology aims at discovering and understanding the human mind (James, 1890). Evolutionary approach to psychology helps us explain phenomena at a deep level of understanding. It provides logical tools that help us develop new theories or deduce new hypothesis. Evolutionary psychology proves to be a valuable means of discovering new truths about how the human mind works. Neuberg, Kenrick and Schaller (2010) argue that evolutionary psychology forms metatheoritical assumptions that govern how scientists approach conceptual and empirical inquiry into psychological phenomena. Evolutionary, psychological theories attempt to identify human psychological traits that stem from evolutionary adaptations. Gene’s eye view of life refers to an evolutionary, psychological theory proposed by Richard Dawkins. The theory sees living things as mere avenues/vehicles for the replication of the genetic materials (Dawkins, 1976). This theory can be used to explain the evolutionary origin and future prospects of human altruism; the action of favoring other individuals at the expense of the altruist (Wyschogrod, 1990). Gene’s eye view presents biological and psychological processes not from the perspective of individuals (or groups of people), but instead, from the perspective of the gene.

1 hour!
The minimum time our certified writers need to deliver a 100% original paper

When trying to compare goal or objective from the perspective of a person with the perspective of the gene, the theory of gene’s eye view becomes visible from an evolutionary perspective. Considering a person’s perspective, a set of varied responses becomes eminent. Such responses include motives, desires and aspirations. These answers provide us with information about how human psychology tends to be expressed or experienced but does not tell us the origin of these psychological experiences. If a gene would express its views then the answer would be exceptionally straightforward, to make copies of myself. This does not inform us about human psychology until when another step occurs. The ability of genes to make themselves appears to be an evolutionary adaptation (Neurberg et al 2010). Therefore, genes work collectively to construct vehicles that in turn assist the same genes replicate themselves. Organisms form ideal vehicles accomplishes this mission. People’s bodies including body systems must be constructed and designed according to a unique coded protocol in their genes. People come about as a result of the designed work of genes forming the ideal vehicles for the replication of the same genes. Consequently, everything that constitutes peoples psychology like perceptual organs, cognitive processes, emotional reactions and behavioral tendencies including altruism are at a precise level built to help people’s genes make copies of themselves. However, evolution does not design perfect things. On the contrary, evolution works with what it possesses. Therefore, variability cannot be ruled out (Dawkins, 1976).

It should be noted that just because people act as the replication vehicles for genes, everyone cannot serve that function well. Sometimes, well designed things end up doing unusual things. Such variability can be best emphasized using human beings. Humans have complex nervous systems that exert conscious control over their behaviors. People end up doing things that have no evolutionary function whatsoever. Consequently, variability in human altruism can occur when this factor prevails. Thus, people’s altruistic behaviors vary depending on the prevailing circumstances.

References

Cosmides. L., and Tooby, J. (1997). .

Dawkins. R. (1976). The Selfish Gene. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

James. W. (1890). The Principles of Psychology. New York: H. Holt and Company.

Neurberg. L., Kenrick., D., and Schaller, M. Eds. (2010). Evolutionary Social Psychology. California: Psychology Press.

Wyschogrod. E. (1990). Saints and Post Modernism: Revisioning MoralPhylosophy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Remember! This is just a sample
You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers
Print
Need an custom research paper on The Evolutionary Psychology Key Points written from scratch by a professional specifically for you?
808 writers online
Cite This paper
Select a referencing style:

Reference

IvyPanda. (2024, March 21). The Evolutionary Psychology Key Points. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-evolutionary-psychology-key-points/

Work Cited

"The Evolutionary Psychology Key Points." IvyPanda, 21 Mar. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/the-evolutionary-psychology-key-points/.

References

IvyPanda. (2024) 'The Evolutionary Psychology Key Points'. 21 March.

References

IvyPanda. 2024. "The Evolutionary Psychology Key Points." March 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-evolutionary-psychology-key-points/.

1. IvyPanda. "The Evolutionary Psychology Key Points." March 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-evolutionary-psychology-key-points/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "The Evolutionary Psychology Key Points." March 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-evolutionary-psychology-key-points/.

Powered by CiteTotal, citation style generator
If you are the copyright owner of this paper and no longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda. Request the removal
More related papers
Cite
Print
1 / 1