Evolutionary psychologists assert that human beings extend help based on an intuitive cost-benefit analysis and only risk resources when the expected benefit outweighs the cost of
Evolut ionary psycho logists assert that human beings extend help based on an intuitive cost-benefit analysis and only risk resources when the expected benefit outweighs the cost of the action. One outcome of this is that we are more likely to help those to whom we are related instead of those to whom we are not related.
Based on your reading about evolutionary and existential approaches, answer the following:
- Explain the above proposition given by evolutionary psychologists in your own words. You can be specific by identifying a time when you helped someone or chose not to help someone.
- Clearly express a cost-benefit analysis you did in both the cases.
Natural and sexual selection has shaped the innate, human experience. But they also assert that as humans, we are only predisposed to act in certain ways under specific conditions and that we are not just instinctive creatures.
- Imagine yourself an evolutionary psychologist, how would you explain murder or suicide? Use terminology specific to evolutionary personality theory.
According to evolutionary personality theory, men and women experience jealousy for different reasons. Males experience jealousy when they know or suspect that their mates are sexually unfaithful. Females experience jealousy when they know or suspect that the resources provided to her and her offspring by her mate are threatened by a rival.
- Discuss the evolutionary personality theory proposed by evolutionary psychologists in terms of how it explains jealousy? Explain why you think your experience conforms or does not conform to the theory.
- Some people find the evolutionary personality theory offensive or have strong opinions against it. What are your views about the theory? Explain.
respond to the 2 responses in 5-6 sentences
Response 1
According to evolutionary psychologists, human actions, such as extending a helpful hand, are created by an internal cost-benefit calculation that is driven by forces of evolution. This suggests that because supporting the continued existence and reproductive well-being of people we share genetic ties with unintentionally enhances our genetic heritage, we are more likely to help those with who we share genetic ties. This argument is supported by personal observations where choices about whether or not to help are influenced by apparent costs and benefits. Helping a close relative, for example, could be motivated by duty as well as future gains from the exchange or shared genetic quality. On the other hand, choosing not to assist a stranger can stem from a perception of a high cost (such as time and resources) relative to the potential rewards.
To use evolution to explain murder or suicide, one has to understand how these extreme behaviors might be connected with effective reproduction in theory. Murder may happen in a competitive setting when destroying competition improves an individual's availability of resources or partners, which increases the likelihood of successful reproduction. On the other hand, a sense of failure to meet evolutionary demands such as procreation, along with social or environmental pressures that reduce perceived fitness or potential to support relatives, may lead to suicide.
Several evolutionary psychologists claim the theory is simplified or excessively predetermined, allocating a great deal of human behavior to inherited traits. It's necessary to weigh their points of view against the rich variety of unique experiences, differences in cultures, and the effects of intentional decisions on behavior, all the while respecting their insights into what makes people tick. Combining existential and humanistic perspectives serves as a helpful reminder of the significance of experiences that have personal meaning, and the capacity for development and change outside of rigorous biological requirements. Therefore, a holistic strategy incorporating existential and humanistic factors is beneficial for a complete explanation of human behavior, even though evolutionary psychology provides useful knowledge.
References
Larsen, R. J. (2020). Personality Psychology: Domains of Knowledge About Human Nature (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Higher Education (US). https://digitalbookshelf.southuniversity.edu/books/9781260839043
Schmitt, D. P., Long, A. E., McPhearson, A., O’Brien, K., Remmert, B., & Shah, S. H. (2017). Personality and gender differences in global perspective. International Journal of Psychology, 52(S1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12265
Response #2
The cost-benefit analysis is an analytic and systematic process in which an individual weighs the pros and cons of a situation, ultimately coming to a consensus on whether or not they are willing to take the risk for the benefits, or if the costs are not worth the benefits. An example of the cost-benefit analysis is when I am invited to weddings. I live in Japan, so when I am invited to attend weddings in the States, I know I would have to pay out of pocket, use my leave days, and pull strings with my chain of command to attend. The cost is great for me, as I work hard for the money and leave days I earn and time is not always of the essence. As much as it pains me to not attend my friends’s weddings, the cost is too great for me most of the time. However, when my aunt told me she was getting married, I made it a priority for three months to be able to attend. I attended my aunt’s wedding, and I was happy to be a part of her experience regardless of the cost, but I typically do not put forth the same amount of effort when it involves a friend.
Murder could be explained through natural selection. Natural selection is the process of only the strongest and fittest surviving to reproduce passing on their genes to create strong healthy offspring (Buss and Larsen, 2020). In theory, if an individual develops in an environment where aggressiveness is high and necessary for survival, they could potentially adapt to survive through murder. Another perspective to acknowledge is that if an individual is raised in an environment where murder is acceptable and necessary to survive, they could adopt this behavior as well. Furthermore, sexual selection can be described as the means to reproduce. Those who can survive their environment will likely reproduce with others who can survive the same environment, creating offspring capable of surviving, adapting, and passing on their genes to the next generation. Suicide could be the behavior of an individual to prevent the reproduction of offspring that will not survive in the environment or the behavior of those who feel as if they are more of a cost than a benefit in their environment.
In evolutionary psychology, jealousy can be viewed from a male and female perspective and comes from the concept of natural selection. For males, jealousy stems from their partner’s infidelity. This is because males do not want to provide their hard-earned resources such as food, water, and shelter, to offspring that is not theirs (Harris, 2004). On the other hand, females are likely to experience jealousy from emotional infidelity. Females experience jealousy differently than males, and instead of being providers like males, females are provided for. Therefore, the cause of female jealousy comes from the fear that their partner will give their resources to someone else.
I believe evolutionary personality psychology plays a role in individuals’ behavior. Our natural human instincts, including personality, will always play a role in our development across our lifespan. However, I do not think it explains all aspects of human personality. Since humans experience free will and have more complex cognitive abilities than other living organisms, I don’t think categorizing all human behavior into an evolutionary perspective explains all aspects of human personality.
Harris, C. R. (2004). The Evolution of Jealousy. http://charris.ucsd.edu/articles/Harris_AS2004.pdf . http://charris.ucsd.edu/articles/Harris_AS2004.pdf
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