Evolutionary Perspective

Definition

The evolutionary perspective is a psychological approach that seeks to understand human behavior by examining how it has been shaped by natural selection and adaptation over time. It focuses on the idea that certain behaviors have evolved because they enhance an individual's chances of survival and reproduction.

Related terms

Natural Selection:

The process by which beneficial traits are more likely to be passed on to future generations because individuals with those traits are better able to survive and reproduce.

Adaptation:

A trait or behavior that has evolved in response to environmental pressures and increases an organism's chances of surviving and reproducing.

Reproductive Strategies: Different approaches individuals take in order to maximize their reproductive success, such as mate choice, competition, or parental investment.