Evolutionary+Theory

Evolutionary theory follows the basic known Darwinian concepts of natural selection and adaptation in explaining human behavior. Evolutionists basically believe that throughout the process of human evolution particular genes helped 'selected' individuals to exhibit behavior that would help them favorably overcome the challenges they faced (like avoiding danger, building attachment, etc.), increasing their likelihood to survive and continue the species producing more individuals with this valuable genetic make-up. In this way they say that today's human behavior mirrors the challenges that our ancestors faced. The larger size of our human brain is, to evolutionists, an example of the evolutionary concept- for it allows us unequaled capacities for storing knowledge, and learning behavior that increases our chances at surviving and continuing the species. Evolutionists also suggest that play is an evolved platform for learning, helping children develop motor skills and experiment with social roles- a form of learning from experience. Lastly they present the parental -investment theory, that provides an evolutionary explanation for biological parents' eagerness to help their child grow, live, and learn, and offer a warning against leaving human-typical environments for they could lead to negative developmental consequences (interesting theory to consider with infants that are kept in the first days of life in neonatal intensive care).


 * All information on this page was derived from source number 2 found on reference page.*

For more information on Evolutionary theory consider this site:

@http://www.psych.ucsb.edu/research/cep/emotion.html