Survival of the fittest in AP Psychology

Definition

Survival of the fittest refers to the idea that in a population, individuals with traits that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those advantageous traits to future generations.

Related terms

Natural selection: This term describes the process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population over time based on their adaptive value.

Adaptation:

Refers to any characteristic or behavior that helps an organism survive and reproduce successfully in its environment.

Fitness: In evolutionary terms, fitness is a measure of an individual's ability to contribute genes to future generations. It encompasses both survival and reproductive success.