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6 - Evolved Psychological Mechanisms

Properties and Evidence, Misconceptions and Mismatches

from Part I - Foundations of Evolution

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 June 2022

By
Samuel Pearson  and
William von Hippel
Edited by
Todd K. Shackelford
Todd K. Shackelford
Affiliation:
Oakland University, Michigan
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Summary

Understanding evolved psychological mechanisms (EPMs) is important for social scientists seeking a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and cognition. In this chapter we discuss the origins of EPMs, describing their functioning and situational sensitivity. We also discuss how EPMs offer a valuable framework for integrating proximate and distal explanations of psychological phenomena. We then describe methodologies and evidence that can be used to identify EPMs, before concluding with a discussion of how certain EPMs are mismatched with conditions of modern living, potentially interfering with the goal of a happy and healthy life.

Keywords

evolved psychological mechanismstesting evolutionary hypothesesproximate and ultimate explanationsevolutionary mismatches
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Evolutionary Perspectives on Sexual Psychology , pp. 114 - 134
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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