Darwin and the Emergence of Evolutionary Psychology
This paper is penned by one of my favorite psychologists, David Buss. I have two book recommendations by David Buss, The Evolution of Desire and the Dangerous Passion. Both books will complement the intelligent investor’s quest for understanding human emotions.
Click Here To Read A Primer On Evolutionary Psychology (As A PDF)
Abstract/Introduction (Via U Texas.Edu)
Darwin envisioned a scientific revolution for psychology. His theories of natural and sexual selection identified two classes of struggles—the struggle for existence and the struggle for mates. The emergence of evolutionary psychology and related disciplines signals the fulfillment of Darwin’s vision. Natural selection theory guides scientists to discover adaptations for survival. Sexual selection theory illuminates the sexual struggle, highlighting mate choice and same-sex competition adaptations. Theoretical developments since publication of On the Origin of Species identify important struggles unknown to Darwin, notably, within-families conflicts and conflict between the sexes. Evolutionary psychology synthesizes modern evolutionary biology and psychology to penetrate some of life’s deep mysteries: Why do many struggles center around sex? Why is social conflict pervasive? And what are the mechanisms of mind that define human nature?
Background On David Buss (Via Wikipedia)
The primary topics of his research include mating strategies, conflict between the sexes, status, social reputation, prestige, the emotion of jealousy, homicide, anti-homicide defenses, and most recently stalking. All of these are approached from an evolutionary perspective. Buss is the author of more than 200 scientific articles and has won many awards. Some of these awards include American Psychological Association (APA) Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution to Psychology in 1988 and APA G. Stanley Hall Lectureship in 1990.
Buss is the author of a number of publications and books, including The Evolution of Desire The Dangerous Passion, and most recently, The Handbook of Evolutionary Psychologyand The Murderer Next Door, which introduces a new theory of homicide from an evolutionary perspective. He is also the author of Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind which is currently in its third edition and was released in 2007.
Click Here To Read A Primer On Evolutionary Psychology (As A PDF)
