Transcript DARWIN

Darwin
1809 - 1882
Key work
Theory of
Evolution by
Natural Selection
• All individuals of a particular species
are not identical.
• Physical and behavioural changes
occur randomly
• If the charataristics improve the
individual’s chances of survival they
are passed on to the next generation
• These offspring are also more likely
to survive so the characteristic will
increase in the population over time
The role of
reproduction and the
sexual instinct are
central to Darwin’s
work
• Humans are the
product of evolution.
• We share a common
ancestor with our
close relatives the
apes
 This
means that results from
psychological research on animals can
be used to explain human behaviour
and thought processes.
 Much
psychological research has
used animals (eg Harlow’s monkeys to
study attatchment).
• Darwin studied the
development of his
own children by
detailed observation
• He studied facial
expressions and
found that some
expressions were
universal
Major
Influences on
Psychology
Behaviourist Approach
• Humans and animals have common ancestors
so explanations of animal behaviour should be
able to be applied to human behaviour.
• The behaviourists used animals in their work
The Work of Freud
 Darwin
stressed
the importance of
sexual instinct.
 Freud’s
work
showed how
sexual instinct
affected a person
on a psychological
level
Cross-Cultural Psychology
• Darwin's work on facial expressions influenced
the development of Cross-cultural Psychology.
• He also initiated the nature vs nurture debate in
psychology
Developmental Psychology
• Influenced the
development of
Developmental
Psychology
• Darwin's methods of
observation of his own
children are still used by
developmental
psychologists.
Evolutionary Psychology


This branch of Psychology tries to
explain behaviour in terms of
adaptation to the environment.
Genes can account for psychological
as well as physical characteristics