20 Welcome to Evolutionary Psychology

This module is introduces Evolutionary Psychology. Please watch the videos and work your way through the notes. The videos start on the next page. You can find the module playlist here.

20.1 Learning Goals

By the end of this module, you should be able to achieve all the learning goals outlined below.

  • Identify the five stress tests (and other criticisms) and their defenses.
  • Know the theoretical and historical basis for evolutionary psychological theory and how it adds to our understanding of people beyond biological sciences.
  • Understand how evolutionary processes maintain individual differences.
  • Be able to explain behavioral trends as evolved psychological mechanisms.
  • Define sociometer and inclusive fitness.
  • Explain sex differences from an evolutionary psychology perspective.
  • Explain sex differences from a social theory perspective.
  • Understand the current methods in the field of evolutionary psychology.
  • Distinguish between biology, evolutionary psychology, and behavior genetics.

20.2 Module Materials

20.2.1 Explore

  • Readings
    • Located on Canvas
    • Parts of Chapter 9 from the Personality Puzzle
  • Videos
    • Located in the subchapters of this module
  • Slidedecks
    • Located on Canvas

20.2.2 Engage

  • Activities
    • Located on Canvas

20.2.3 Evaluate

  • Quiz
    • Located on Canvas

20.2.4 Estimated Video Length