Transcript Joe Milillo Slides2

Aspects of Evolutionary Psychology
History of Systems Psychology
PSY401
Tiffany Jubb, Joe Milillo, Jen
Mislinski, and Cesar Monzon
Evolutionary Psychology
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Evolutionary Psychology (EP) is a psychology based upon
evolutionary biology. It studies behavior as a product of psychological
mechanisms (information-processing mechanisms), also called
psychological adaptations (Confer, et al., 2010).
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A mechanism, and the corresponding neural substrate, are selected by
a species because it produces behavior that solves an adaptive
problem; each psychological mechanism is specific to a particular
adaptive problem, that is it is domain-specific rather than domaingeneral (Krill, Platek, Goetz, & Shackelford, 2007). This means that
mechanisms are problem specific and no one can be generally applied
to all problems confronted in life.
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Based upon evolutionary biology, EP is seen by its advocates a metatheory to psychology, building bridges between subdiciplines through
conceptual integration (Ploger, 2010).
Joe Milillo
Evolutionary Psychology:
Contributions
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Empirical studies have come to show that psychological traits are
shaped by evolutionary forces just as physical traits have been (Krill,
Platek, Goetz, & Shackelford, 2007). Just as physiological adaptations
solved problems related to reproduction and survival, psychological
adaptations do the same (Confer, et al., 2010).
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Applying evolution theories and understanding to psychology has
broadened our understanding of psychology. It allows for multiple
analysis of difficult problems using the psychology of nature/nurture
and biology. It aids in developing theories about behavior and social
and cognitive functioning (Geary, 2006).
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EP has helped advance some treatments of mental disorders, such as
depression (Illardi et al., 2007). It also increases understanding of
factors in sexual harassment and assault, and guides legal initiatives
to preventing them (Confer, et al., 2010). Slowly, EP is beginning to be
incorporated in many sub-fields of psychology (Fitzgerald & Whitaker,
2010).
Joe Milillo
Evolutionary Psychology:
Limitations
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Even with its promising insights, evolutionary psychology does
have its limitations. Limitations are both empirical phenomena
that cannot yet be explained using EP, as well as current
conceptual constraints. Examples of unexplained phenomena
are homosexual orientation and suicide, both of which do not fit
the reproduction and survival paradigm (Confer et al., 2010).
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Conceptual constraints are a lack of detailed knowledge of
natural selection pressures and an insufficiency in explaining
cultural and individual differences. (Confer et. al, 2010).
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These differences leave ample scope for further research to
advance the field.
Joe Milillo
Evolutionary Psychology and
Cognitive Neuroscience
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An integration of biological approaches and cognitive
neuroscience with evolutionary psychology has brought about a
new field of inquiry called evolutionary cognitive neuroscience
(ECN) (Fitzgerald and Whitaker, 2010). Evolutionary psychology
is able to describe mental functions, while cognitive
neuroscience provides the knowledge of the structures involved
(Krill, Platek, Goetz, & Shackelford, 2007).
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ECN attempts to identify the neural mechanisms that have been
formed due to selection pressures and allows for a model to
guide empirical research on brain-behavior relationships. For
example, studies have found links between facial attractions
and the reward center in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), as well as
other areas like the anterior cingulate cortex and amygdala
(Krill, Platek, Goetz, & Shackelford, 2007).
Joe Milillo
Evolutionary Psychology:
Altruism and Empathy
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While most studies focus on aggression and mate-selection,
other aspects of evolutionary psychology and neuroscience that
garners some attention is altruism and empathy. In evolutionary
theory, natural selection processes have developed these
emotions to foster both social and individual survival and wellbeing (Decety & Batson, 2009).

Many psychopathologies are characterized by a lack of empathy.
Various treatments, in one way or another, try to foster its
development (Decety & Batson, 2009).
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There is increasing evidence that the brain is wired for social
connections. It is found that emotional connections are brought
about by empathy which motivates people to make altruistic
decisions, those that may create difficulty for an individual
making the decision, but alleviates it for others (De Waal, 2008).
Joe Milillo
His Brain/Her Brain:
Gender Differences
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Evolutionary Psychology and Evolutionary Cognitive Neuroscience are
deepening the understanding of gender differences which allows for a
better understanding of mental and brain disorders (Cahill, 2009).
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Neuroscience studies have found that there is no significant difference
in emotional reactivity between men and women, but that men are
better able at reappraisal of negative emotions, whereas women use
more positive emotion to down-regulate negative emotions (McRae,
Ochsner, Mauss, Gabrielle, & Gross, 2008).
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Evolutionary Psychology research confirms that differences in
attitudes toward sex and mate-choosing exist. A meta-analysis on
gender differences studies between 1993 and 2007 found that most of
these were small with the exceptions being pornography use and
causal sex. Nations and ethnic groups that had great gender equality
had smaller gender differences. Also, as could be expected, any
differences in sexual behavior and attitudes decreased with age
(Peterson & Hyde, 2010).
Joe Milillo
References
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Cahill, L. (2009). His brain, her brain. Special Editions, 20(3), 40-47.
Confer, J. C., Easton, J. A., Fleischman, D. S., Goetz, C. D., Lewis, D. M. G., Perilloux, C., &
Buss, D. M. (2010). Evolutionary psychology: Controversies, questions, prospects, and
limitations. American Psychologist, 65(2), 110.
De Waal, F. B. M. (2008). Putting the altruism back into altruism: The evolution of empathy.
Annu. Rev. Psychol., 59, 279-300.
Decety, J., & Batson, C. D. (2009). Empathy and morality: Integrating social and neuroscience
approaches. The Moral Brain, 109-127.
Fitzgerald, C. J., & Whitaker, M. B. (2010). Examining the acceptance of and resistance to
evolutionary psychology. Evolutionary Psychology.
Geary, D. C. (2006). Evolutionary developmental psychology: Current status and future
directions. Developmental Review, 26(2), 113-119.
Ilardi, S., Jacobson, J., Lehman, K., Stites, B., Karwoski, L., Stroupe, N., & Young, C. (2007).
Therapeutic lifestyle change for depression: Results from a randomized controlled trial.
Krill, A. L., Platek, S. M., Goetz, A. T., & Shackelford, T. K. (2007). Where evolutionary
psychology meets cognitive neuroscience: A precís to evolutionary cognitive neuroscience.
Evolutionary Psychology.
McRae, K., Ochsner, K. N., Mauss, I. B., Gabrieli, J. J. D., & Gross, J. J. (2008). Gender
differences in emotion regulation: An fMRI study of cognitive reappraisal. Group Processes &
Intergroup Relations, 11(2), 143.
Petersen, J. L., & Hyde, J. S. (2010). A meta-analytic review of research on gender differences
in sexuality, 1993–2007. Psychological bulletin, 136(1), 21.
Ploeger, A. (2010). Evolutionary psychology as a metatheory for the social sciences. Integral
Review.
Joe Milillo