Module 1 Part 7: Evolutionary Psychology and Epigentics
Evolutionary psychology is a theoretical approach in psychology that examines the evolutionary basis of human behavior. It seeks to understand how psychological traits and behaviors have evolved over time to solve adaptive problems faced by our ancestors.
Key Concepts
Natural Selection: The process by which traits that enhance survival and reproduction are passed on more frequently to future generations.
Adaptations: Behaviors or traits that have evolved to solve specific problems of survival or reproduction. Examples include fear of snakes, mate selection preferences, and parental investment.
Universal Behaviors: Behaviors that are common across all human cultures, suggesting they have an evolutionary basis, such as language acquisition and social bonding.
Applications
Mate Selection: Studies how evolutionary pressures have shaped preferences for certain traits in potential partners, such as physical attractiveness or resource acquisition ability.
Parental Investment Theory: Explains differences in male and female reproductive strategies based on the differing levels of parental investment required by each sex.
Fear and Phobias: Examines how certain fears may have evolved to protect individuals from dangers that were prevalent in ancestral environments.
The epigenetic view in psychology emphasizes the role of epigenetic mechanisms in development and behavior. Epigenetics involves changes in gene expression that do not alter the DNA sequence but can be passed down to subsequent generations.
Key Concepts
Gene-Environment Interaction: Epigenetics highlights how environmental factors can influence gene expression and contribute to individual differences in behavior and development.
DNA Methylation: A common epigenetic mechanism where methyl groups are added to DNA, often silencing gene expression.
Histone Modification: Changes to the proteins around which DNA is wound can affect gene expression by making DNA more or less accessible for transcription.
Applications
Developmental Plasticity: Epigenetic mechanisms explain how environmental influences during critical periods of development can have lasting effects on behavior and health.
Stress Response: Research shows that early life stress can lead to epigenetic changes that affect the stress response system, potentially leading to mental health issues later in life.
Transgenerational Effects: Epigenetic changes can be inherited, meaning that the experiences of one generation can affect the biology and behavior of subsequent generations.