EP Test 1

Charles Darwin studied finches in the Galapagos and realized they all had specific adaptations depending on their environment.

seed that germinates into evolution

process that some traits are transmitted to subsequent generations

for something to be an adaptation, it must be _____

very gradual (occurs over many generations)

reproductive success gained specifically through success in mating

by reproducing one's genes by being an effective group member

reproducing one's genes by helping one's genetic relatives reproduce their genes

adaptations are designed to solve every specific challenge; not all conscious; mismatches between current and ancestral environments.

the mind is created for multiple different uses

evolution generates physiological and psychological mechanisms designed to serve specific functions (EX: giraffe neck)

adaptations originally useful for one purpose, then for another (EX: hollow bird bones)

produced by adaptations, not adaptations themselves (EX: sweet tooth--> desire for chocolate)

random consequences of learning & development, genetic mutation, the environment (EX: preferring chocolate or vanilla)

Many genetic traits that increase reproduction also comes with costs (EX: sickle cell anemia = bad; resistance to malaria= good)

organisms are biologically prepared to learn certain things very efficiently

learning (EX: mom taught me to cook with spices)

evolved with landscape (EX: countries with higher pathogens use more spice in their food because it kills germs)

just because something is natural, doesn't mean its good

evolution provides the blueprint

FALSE; it's about survival of the individual

observing behavior in its natural state [strength: high ecological validity; weakness: researcher has very little control]

women prefer older men, men prefer younger women

measuring a physiological/biological process [strength: can provide strong evidence of evolved process; weakness: measures can be costly]

hormones underlie women's and men's sex drive

researcher manipulates something (IV) and examines the effect (DV) [Strength: researcher has lots of control; Weakness: low ecological validity]

evaluating whether certain behaviors are common across humans and other species [Strength: provides strong evidence for evolution; Weakness: difficult to infer 'psychological' processes in other species]

men should show higher sexual attraction around women at peak fertility

male marmosets & humans both show an increase in testosterone when around fertile females

evaluating whether a pattern of behavior is universal across cultures [Strength: provides strong evidence for evolution; Weakness: not always clear how to measure culture]

basic emotions are culturally universal

examining traditional, small-scale societies (hunter-gatherers) [Strength: provides unique insight into the 'ancient' aspects of human psychology; Weakness: small-scale societies are dwindling]

The Hadza

Preference for landscaped that offer R & R (humans prefer environments that are neither completely closed/open)

Resources (food) & Refuge (safety)

if they taste calorically dense

use more spice due to the higher % of pathogens

micro-organism that causes illness & disease

micro-organism that lives in host (type of pathogen)

bacterial and viral infections

heart disease

fights germs in the body

adaptations to help people avoid contact with pathogens

ecological pathogen prevalence

sensing or thinking about disease

chronic sensitivity, recent illness

when foreign groups are unfamiliar, we categorize them as carrying pathogens we are not familiar with

pathogen avoidance

YES

most of morality is based on feelings of disgust

threat based emotional adaptation that motivates avoidance or confrontation of dangers

increased epinephrine, glucose, breathing rate

the 3 F's--> fight, flight, freeze

attention narrows and focuses on threat

fear is readily generalized to non-dangerous stimuli that are similar in appearance to a dangerous stimulus

king snake (not venomous) & coral snake (venomous)--> regardless you will be frightened and jump back if they cross your path

attention expands

male, anger, outgroup

as a cue to group membership, but language, clothing & behavior are even stronger cues

race, age, & sex

would almost NEVER occur

when developmental experiences turn certain genes on or off

conditioned taste aversion (EX: ribs or truffle oil)