Description
Evolutionary Psychology: The Basics is a jargon-free and accessible introduction to evolutionary psychology, which examines behaviour, thoughts, and emotions in relation to evolutionary theory.
Reader and Workman outline how evolutionary thinking can enhance the core areas of psychology: social, developmental, biological, cognitive, and individual differences/abnormal psychology. Covering topics such as genetics and natural selection, mate choice, culture, morality, mental health, and childhood, among others, the book integrates psychology into the biological sciences and explains the different approaches in the field by evaluating current and past evolutionary research and theory. Key studies and theories are explored in an accessible way, with the work of key evolutionary and behavioural scientists from Darwin to Dawkins examined and explained.
Including a glossary and further reading, this is the essential introduction to evolutionary psychology for students of psychology and related areas, and academics and researchers, as well as anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating field.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL SELECTION AND GENETICS
CHAPTER 2. SEXUAL SELECTION AND MATE CHOICE
CHAPTER 3. LIVING WITH OTHERS: EVOLUTION, SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND MORALITY
CHAPTER 4. EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER 5. THINKING AND FEELING: COGNITION AND EMOTIONS
CHAPTER 6. WHY DO PEOPLE VARY? INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND MENTAL ILLNESS
CHAPTER 7. EVOLUTION, CULTURE AND LANGUAGE
