The Evolution of Mind: Fundamental Questions and ControversiesSteven W. Gangestad, Jeffry A. Simpson In the past two decades, an explosion of research has generated many compelling insights--as well as hotly debated controversies--about the evolutionary bases of human nature. This important volume brings together leading proponents of different theoretical and methodological perspectives to provide a balanced look at 12 key questions at the core of the field today. In 43 concise, accessible chapters, followed by an integrative conclusion, the contributors present viewpoints informed by human behavioral ecology, evolutionary psychology, and gene-culture coevolutionary approaches. Topics include the strengths and limitations of different methodologies; metatheoretical issues; and debates concerning the evolution of the human brain, intellectual abilities, culture, and sexual behavior. |
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Page 6
... was needed. Second, Tooby and Cosmides (1989, 1990, 1992) developed a metatheory for an adaptationist approach. Darwinism, Symons (1987) argued, offers a historical explanation for the 6 An Introduction to The Evolution of Mind.
... was needed. Second, Tooby and Cosmides (1989, 1990, 1992) developed a metatheory for an adaptationist approach. Darwinism, Symons (1987) argued, offers a historical explanation for the 6 An Introduction to The Evolution of Mind.
Page 7
... argued, offers a historical explanation for the evolution of phenotypic traits. Some of these traits, namely, specific adaptations, were favored by natural selection for their reproductive benefits. Other traits, called “by-products ...
... argued, offers a historical explanation for the evolution of phenotypic traits. Some of these traits, namely, specific adaptations, were favored by natural selection for their reproductive benefits. Other traits, called “by-products ...
Page 10
... argued that only under highly restrictive conditions should genetically based adaptations evolve if they are good for the group but detrimental to individual fitness (e.g., the tendency to warn others about a predator, calling perhaps ...
... argued that only under highly restrictive conditions should genetically based adaptations evolve if they are good for the group but detrimental to individual fitness (e.g., the tendency to warn others about a predator, calling perhaps ...
Page 11
... argued that there is not, stating that selection relevant to understanding current adaptations and behavior has already occurred in our ancestral past. Current adaptiveness (or selection) is irrelevant (Thornhill, 1997). Organisms ought ...
... argued that there is not, stating that selection relevant to understanding current adaptations and behavior has already occurred in our ancestral past. Current adaptiveness (or selection) is irrelevant (Thornhill, 1997). Organisms ought ...
Page 13
... argue that the assumption of “massive modularity” is untenable. According to this critique, evolutionary psychologists should expect brain maturation to be precisely programmed by genetic information needed to yield the many postulated ...
... argue that the assumption of “massive modularity” is untenable. According to this critique, evolutionary psychologists should expect brain maturation to be precisely programmed by genetic information needed to yield the many postulated ...
Contents
1 | |
23 | |
PART II Fundamental Metatheoretical Issues | 145 |
PART III Debates Concerning Important Human Evolutionary Outcomes | 233 |
Whither Science of the Evolution of Mind? | 397 |
Index | 439 |
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Common terms and phrases
ability adaptationism adaptationist adaptive problems ancestral environments Anthropology apes approach argue Barrett behavioral ecologists benefits Borgerhoff Mulder Boyd Buss Byrne Cambridge causal chimpanzees cognitive mechanisms complex computational cooperation Cosmides culture Darwin developmental systems domains Dunbar ecological estrus evidence evolutionary biology evolutionary history evolutionary psychology evolved example exaptation favored fitness Flinn foraging function Gangestad genes genetic group selection hominid human behavior human behavioral ecology human brain human evolution human evolutionary human mating hunter-gatherer hypotheses important individuals inferences intelligence interactions issues Kaplan language male Mithen models modern humans modular modules natural selection Neanderthals neocortex norms one’s organisms Oxford University Press perspective phenotypic phylogenetic Pleistocene primates processes produce psychological adaptations REFERENCES relative reproductive success Richerson role selection pressures sexual selection social selection Sociobiology solve species strategies structure Thornhill tion Tooby traits understanding variation women York