Evolutionary psychology
This approach is based on the theory of evolution developed by Charles Darwin. According to this
theory fit organisms are more likely to survive into adulthood than unfit ones. Therefore, they are
more likely to mate and have offspring to whom they pass on their genes. Gradually, the genes for
successful characteristics spread through the population. Evolutionary psychology regards humans
as subject to same evolutionary processes as other animals (continuity). It assumes that behavioural
characteristics can be inherited just like physical ones and tries to explain human behaviour/
psychology in terms of evolutionary processes.
The main assumption of evolutionary psychology is that the brain therefore the mind has evolved to
solve problems encountered by our ancestors.
Evolutionary psychology argues that the mind is shaped by pressure to survive and reproduce so it
explains behaviours in terms of selective pressures Evolutionary psychologists say that natural
selection has provided humans with many psychological adaptations, in the same way that it
produced humans' anatomical and physiological adaptations.
Unlike other psychological approaches which look for causes of behaviour, evolutionary psychology
seeks a functional explanation of human behaviour – one that focuses on origins i.e. why a
behaviour has evolved, the function(s) of this behaviour in our survival.
The evolutionary approach has been used to explain a wide range of behaviour such as attachment
(Bowlby), gender, aggression and even mental disorders.
Methodology
Cross-cultural studies can confirm (or disprove) predications made by the approach. If the
same type of behaviour is observed across cultures then this approach argues it is likely to
have an evolutionary origin. i.e. Buss (1989) tested the predictions that males should prefer
a mate younger than themselves, whereas females should prefer a mate who has most
resources in 37 different cultures ( Gender module)
Human behaviour is compared to animal behaviour, if they are found to be similar then this
approach would argue that they have an evolutionary origin. This is especially true if the
behaviours are observed in genetically closely related species i.e. great apes for example the
“sex for meat” hypothesis.
Evolutionary psychologists study patterns of behaviour that have been observed and
attempt to interpret them in evolutionary terms. For example, evolutionary psychologists
have considered the symptoms of mental disorders such as schizophrenia and depression in
order to work out what adaptive value these symptoms might have had in our past.
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Strengths
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Evolutionary psychology provides a powerful tool to understand human behaviour. It
transcends the present and considers our behaviour from a wider perspective.
Weaknesses
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The theory of evolution offers mainly post hoc (after the fact) explanations which cannot be
supported by direct observation.
The evolutionary approach is less applicable to human behaviour than to the behaviour of
animals. This is because our behaviour is more influenced by experience, moral values, social
norms and by the culture in which we live.
Determinism: Human behaviour is influenced by numerous factors, and it is very limited to
focus almost exclusively on ultimate causes at the expense of more immediate ones (e.g.,
the social and cultural context). However the evolutionary approach sees the evolutionarily
influenced behaviour more as a predisposition towards a certain type of behaviour rather
than an inevitable consequence of our genetic make-up. For example it does not excuse the
rape of women by men but allows us to understand the behaviour.
Nature–nurture: Evolutionary psychologists strongly emphasise the role of nature (e.g.,
natural selection) in determining behaviour but largely ignore the importance of
environmental and social factors.
Individual differences: Individual differences are not accounted for by the evolutionary
approach i.e. such as the susceptibility to mental disorders, gender dysphoria or difference
in attachment types.
Although this approach can explain some types of undesirable behaviours (such as
xenophobia)r it does not suggest ways to prevent them from occurring.
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