EvolutionaryPsychology

Is EP just SocioBiology warmed up?

I think there are three clear differences. Sociobiology believed all behaviours existed for the benefit of the gene. And therefore could be reduced to / explained by biological necessities.

EP in contrast ...

• reintroduces interest in SexualSelection : therefore traits can exist not because they are utilitarian but attractive. (Suddenly there is no requirement to show that a behaviour increases utility to show that it is innate.)

• introduces notion of memetics which is a theory of an autonomous cultural level that doesn't need to be reduced to the biological. Memes can exist because they are good at surviving, not because they help genes.

• emphasizes difference between adapted and adaptive. Makes claims that behaviors are adapted to historical situation, not adaptive in current one.

LinkBin

• Human evolution and climate change : http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/092011.html

See also :

• DefendingAdaptionism
• HumanNature
• UnitsOfSelection
• CosmaShalizi : http://cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/notebooks/evol-psych.html
• Humans were cannibals : http://www.stonepages.com/news/archives/000906.html