(DSE212/TMA02) Evolution processes and altruism as an adaptive behaviour
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Course
Psychology
Institution
The Open University (OU)
(Exploring Psychology: Chapter 2). This assignment focussed primarily on the evolutional processes and how evolutionary psychologists have contributed to our understanding of altruism. Received 78/100 (OU grade 2:1)
Part 1
Outline the processes involved in evolution and discuss how evolutionary psy-
chologists have contributed to our understanding of altruism as an adaptive
behaviour.
Evolutionary psychologists are interested in understanding how animal and
human behaviour evolves and the adaptive functions that these behaviours
would have over time as well as identifying. Evolutionary psychology is con-
cerned with identifying which behaviours and psychological traits are adaptive
and the function which the latter fulfil. Over the course of many millions of
years, the processes of mutation and natural selection have created every
species of life that we see in the world today, from the simplest bacteria to hu-
mans. This assignment will look at the processes involved in evolution and
adaptive behaviours before looking at what is meant by altruism and whether
altruism can be considered adaptation. The research that will be used to de-
termine this include studies such as Warneken and Tomasello (2006) and the
prisoner's dilemma game in order to discuss altruism.
As with all living things on earth, humans are subject to the same evolution
processes (Barrett et al., 2002). Hominoids (the family containing primates
and humans) evolved around 22 to 31 million years ago. We should note also
that selection refers to genes since it is these that endure over time (p.116).
Genetic transmission means that genes, which are made up of sequences of
DNA, provide the basis for passing on characteristics and help to shape hu-
man physiology and certain behaviours (p.117). It is possible for the DNA of
an organism to mutate. The change brought about by a mutation is either ben-
eficial or harmful. If the change is harmful, it is unlikely that the offspring will
survive to reproduce, so the mutation dies out. If the change is beneficial, it is
, likely that the offspring will do better than others and reproduce more. The
process of culling bad mutations and spreading good mutations is called natu-
ral selection (p.118).
The theory of evolution is derived from the work of Charles Darwin (1809-
1882). Following years of research he suggested that species have evolved
from common ancestors. Darwin recognised how important sexual reproduc-
tion is for creating variation, and that inherited characteristics and genetic vari-
ation are open to random changes (p.118-121).
Natural selection is the idea that all individuals show variation in behavioural,
structural and physiological traits, part of this is inherited through genes and
that variations of a trait allow the bearer to compete more effectively than oth-
ers for resources (Barrett et al., 2002 p.121). Those with the variation are
more likely to survive in their environment longer and have more offspring
(p.121).
Evolutionary psychologists are interested in psychological characteristics and
behaviours and which of these are adaptations (p.122). An example of an
adaptive behaviour is music (Miller, 2000) which is believed to have evolved
to display the musicians' intelligence, creativity and personality traits to attract
sexual partners (p.123). Others argue that music is a byproduct of language
rather than an adaptation (Pinker, 1997 p.123).
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