Learning Objective Compare and contrast two approaches of ev

Learning Objective: Compare and contrast two approaches of evolutionary psychology on human behavior

Best practice to participate in the discussion boards is to read the articles and consider the following questions. Then go to the discussion board and talk amongst yourselves; don\'t forget to post a minimum of a paragraph and reply to a colleague.

1. Some evolutionary psychologists, such as David Buss, suggest that men are more promiscuous than women. Man are hardwired for sex, wanting to have sex with as many women as possible. This is an evolutionary advantage, which gives men the opportunity to impregnate as many women as possible (i.e. to spread their seed). In addition, men prefer to have sex with women that are younger and have an hourglass shape. Both youth and a curvy figure are evolutionary signifiers of reproductive health. Buss also suggests that women are more selective in their mating and dating preferences. While men have a tendency to want to sleep around, women are choosier. Why? Because men have the ability to impregnate many women, while women can only have one offspring at a time. It is evolutionarily advantageous for women to be picky about their mates. What kind of mate to women prefer? They prefer mates with power and resources; men who can provide for the survival of their offspring. For our early ancestors this meant a man who could \"bring home the bacon\" now this means a man who brings home the money. Feminist evolutionary psychologists think this is just ridiculous. This type of thinking just portrays men and women as stereotypes.

2. Critics of the above theory demand: show me the physiological evidence. Evolutionary theory is rooted in biology hence there must be physical evidence to substantiate a claim. Feminist evolutionary psychologists say: It\'s not men who want sleep around, in fact, it is women who are hard-wired to want to take on as many mates as possible. This is why society has spent so much energy trying to regulate female sexuality. What is the evidence? One: only maternity is 100%. Everyone knows for certain the identity of their mother, yet before the recent advent of testing, paternity was never 100%. In a communal living situation, all the men in the tribe would have to provide for a child because the possibility could be that child was their own. Two: women are multi-orgasmic, while men only have one orgasm and then their brain releases a chemical which causes them to fall asleep. As many know, women become active post-coitus. They want to talk and cuddle, while men want to nap. The suggestion here is that while men are sleeping it off on the bear skin rug, the women go to the next tent and have sex again with someone else. Finally, women have an organ designed specifically for sexual pleasure: the clitori. Men do not have such an organ. The existence of the clitori is a strong physiological indicator that supports the above assertion. How can you explain the existence of the clitori?

Solution

Compare and contrast two approaches of evolutionary psychology on human behavior

Answer:

Evolutionary psychology attempts to explain human motivations and behavior as being the consequence of evolution. Behaviors and capacities are assumed to be adaptive: to enhance survival and reproductive success. Without applying evolutionary theory there is no scientific way to say whether a behavior is adaptive or not.

A general neglect of culture and the importance of Cultural Evolution, resulting in a strong tendency toward genetic determinism. Evolutionary psychology does propose that our psychological commonalities are a consequence of our genetic heritage. There is no blank slate, but this doesn\'t create as tight a “leash” on human behavior as some evolutionary psychologists suppose. Evolutionary theory tells us that if there is anywhere that we would expect to find a strong selective influence on behavior it will be in behavior related to reproduction itself, and sex is a crucial part of human reproductive behavior. Humans have quite a few peculiarities in their reproductive strategies which evolutionary psychologists have connected to differences in male and female behavior.

To many it seems nonsensical to propose that having lots of grandchildren is the intention underlying all human behavior because:

Especially in the modern world, most of our daily activities don\'t advance our supposed reproductive goal in any obvious way (reading People magazine), and in many cases clearly reduce the prospects for our continued survival (binge drinking, running for president.)

When you ask people what their intention is they will hardly ever mention reproductive success. If you press someone for the ultimate top-level goal it will usually be either emotional (because I love her), moral (it was the right thing to do) or spiritual (it gives meaning to my life.)

Another objection to evolutionary psychology is that it paints such a bleak picture of the human condition. Why are evolutionary psychologists so interested in unpleasant behaviors such as competitiveness, selfishness, deception, self-promotion, cheating and violence? Most people are kind, decent, peaceful and law-abiding, yet evolutionary psychologists explain self-serving and violent behavior as just another strategy for reproductive success. Furthermore, evolutionary psychology has had big problems with altruism, and at time seems to say that everything we do either has some hidden selfish motive (such as favoring relatives) or is basically a mistake.