Introduction Psychology 3906 Introduction l Why study psychology

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Introduction Psychology 3906

Introduction Psychology 3906

Introduction l Why study psychology from an evolutionary perspective? l Well, umm we are

Introduction l Why study psychology from an evolutionary perspective? l Well, umm we are animals after all l Darwin talked about evolutionary psychology l William James talked about evolutionary psychology

Evolution and Social Science l Most psychologists adhere to the ‘Standard Social Science Model’

Evolution and Social Science l Most psychologists adhere to the ‘Standard Social Science Model’ l This of course affects research, theories, hypotheses etc. l It is almost completely at odds with Evolutionary Theory, and dare I say, with reality….

SSSM - Assumptions l 1) The Blank Slate n Most of us can see

SSSM - Assumptions l 1) The Blank Slate n Most of us can see this is silly, but, the SSSM seems to accept it l 2) Biology is Irrelevant n If experience is all that matters, biology really has no effect now does it l 3) There are only a few learning mechanisms

Why the SSSM is wrong… l Development NEEDS biology l So, when you hear

Why the SSSM is wrong… l Development NEEDS biology l So, when you hear say language, you learn language, as a kid. l No matter how many hockey stats I flash at you, you will not become a hockey stats expert by the age of 4. l Why?

Another example or two… l Why can’t my parents’ dog learn to speak English?

Another example or two… l Why can’t my parents’ dog learn to speak English? l BECAUSE SHE IS A DOG l Why can’t you remember where you cached 30 000 seeds six months ago? l BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT A CLARK’S NUTCRACKER l There is such a thing as human nature

Nature vs. Nurture l The SSSM divides nature and nurture, this is silly as

Nature vs. Nurture l The SSSM divides nature and nurture, this is silly as you cannot have one without the other l The interaction principle l Genes do not just set some sort of limit. They interact with the environment l So, say learning, needs a mechanism and so forth to allow experience to change behaviour

The SSSM and the natural sciences l We cannot study behaviour in a vacuum

The SSSM and the natural sciences l We cannot study behaviour in a vacuum l We cannot ignore biology l Exempting the behaviour of organisms from the principles of biology is like exempting the behaviour of atoms from the principles of physics l We cannot ignore evolution of sociality in other species and us

Tinbergen’s ‘Four Whys’ l Proximate vs. Ultimate explanations l Development l Physiology l Historical

Tinbergen’s ‘Four Whys’ l Proximate vs. Ultimate explanations l Development l Physiology l Historical l Selective l Psychology has concentrated on proximate, and that is fine, but it only tells half of the story

Human Nature l Margaret Mead l All culture, all social, no effect of biology

Human Nature l Margaret Mead l All culture, all social, no effect of biology l Had a big effect in anthropology and sociology not to mention us l Umm turns out it is wrong… l Universal people l Hard to change a hundred years worth of scholarly work though

Just because there is human nature…. . l It does not mean stuff is

Just because there is human nature…. . l It does not mean stuff is unchangeable l Variability due to environmental variability and variability in genes l And, of course the interaction thereof l Many examples, the book has a nice bit on violence l Killer sperm and cheating

Naturalistic Fallacy l Just because something has a genetic basis we do not make

Naturalistic Fallacy l Just because something has a genetic basis we do not make the judgment that it is right or wrong l Science is amoral l Society has determined that monogamy is cool, polygyny is not l We may be hooked up to be polygynous, but most of us are faithful

Conclusion l The EEA influences us l Generals always fight the last war l

Conclusion l The EEA influences us l Generals always fight the last war l Don’t forget about the levels l Just because something is biological does not make it right or wrong

Personality Psychology 3906 Introduction Personality is about ourPersonality Psychology 3906 Introduction Personality is about our
Disorders Psychology 3906 Introduction You probably didnt thinkDisorders Psychology 3906 Introduction You probably didnt think
Discrimination Learning Psychology 3906 Introduction Discrimination and classificationDiscrimination Learning Psychology 3906 Introduction Discrimination and classification
Stress and Health Psychology 3906 Introduction n OurStress and Health Psychology 3906 Introduction n Our
Sensation Psychology 3906 Introduction To catch a ballSensation Psychology 3906 Introduction To catch a ball
Social Science Psychology 3906 Introduction Lets look atSocial Science Psychology 3906 Introduction Lets look at
Timing and Counting Psychology 3906 Introduction Just likeTiming and Counting Psychology 3906 Introduction Just like
Mate Choice Psychology 3906 Questions Can I buyMate Choice Psychology 3906 Questions Can I buy
Development and Families Psychology 3906 It takes aDevelopment and Families Psychology 3906 It takes a
Motivation and Emotion Psychology 3906 SSSM approach nMotivation and Emotion Psychology 3906 SSSM approach n
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