Summary
Applies evolutionary reasoning to human behaviour, cognition and social preferences.
In depth
Examines mate preferences, cooperation, fear of snakes and kin recognition as adaptations. Criticisms: untestable stories and cultural variation. Requires rigorous testing.
Researchers formulate hypotheses about adaptive problems faced by ancestors and test predictions across cultures. Mismatch hypothesis: modern environments differ from ancestral ones.
Common mistake: assuming evolved tendencies are fixed or morally justified.
Frequently asked questions
What is Human Evolutionary Psychology?
Applies evolutionary reasoning to human behaviour, cognition and social preferences.
Which area of biology covers Human Evolutionary Psychology, and how advanced is it?
Human Evolutionary Psychology is one of the 53 topics in Animal Behaviour. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Animal Behaviour, Animal Cognition Experiments, Nature vs Nurture.
Can you give an example of Human Evolutionary Psychology?
Cross-cultural studies of facial attractiveness show some shared preferences.
What should I learn before Human Evolutionary Psychology?
Work through the Beginner topics in Animal Behaviour first, such as Animal Behaviour, Innate Behaviour, Learned Behaviour, then return to Human Evolutionary Psychology. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Human Evolutionary Psychology?
The closest topics to Human Evolutionary Psychology are Animal Behaviour, Animal Cognition Experiments, Nature vs Nurture, Tinbergen's Four Questions. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Human Evolutionary Psychology?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Human Evolutionary Psychology. To practise the whole of Animal Behaviour, use the Animal Behaviour quiz.
How is Human Evolutionary Psychology different from Animal Behaviour?
Human Evolutionary Psychology: Applies evolutionary reasoning to human behaviour, cognition and social preferences. Animal Behaviour: Everything an animal does in response to stimuli, studied by ethology. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
What is a common mistake about Human Evolutionary Psychology?
Assuming evolved tendencies are fixed or morally justified.
How should I study Human Evolutionary Psychology step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Animal Behaviour and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Animal Behaviour quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.