Theories Of Evolution Of Psychology - 1192 Words

Ideas in psychology have been influenced by many fields of study ranging from philosophy to physics. Evolutionary ideas, themselves, have had a substantial role in shaping psychological thought. This paper will provide an overview of the influence of evolutionary thought on the field of psychology along with a discussion of the range of societal implications associated with evolutionary psychology. The influence of evolutionary ideas on psychology dates back to Charles Darwin, the man who proposed The Theory of Evolution by natural selection. Evolution theory suggests that organisms change with time to adapt to their environments. Those organisms best capable of surviving and making adaptations to their environment will have the most†¦show more content†¦The aforementioned influences eventually lead to the field of evolutionary psychology in which the common view is that both physical and mental organs developed through natural selection. Biases in how our brains perceive, p rocess, and react to the world around us can either contribute to our survival or to the reason we die out . Such biases affect our social behavior and status, sexual selection, and gender relations (Wright, 2010). Presently, evolutionary psychology has become an interest in popular culture which in turn influences the subject matter studied in this field. It provides plausible reasons for an array of human behaviors which sparks interest. People want to know why men have aggressive tendencies or why some will risk their lives to help those with no benefit to themselves. Survival of the fittest has become a commonly used phrase and Charles Darwin is no secret. Evolutionary psychology raises the idea that personality and behavior are mediated by evolutionary forces. This notion can have both positive and negative implications for society. It can provide a reason for why we love the people we love; but it can also provide an adaptive role for violent behavior. These ideas provide a rationale for our ability to think and reason. It makes us question our motives in certain situations like when we may act altruistically. This is reflected in society in many ways. For instance, consider the number of