Evolutionary psychology: the emperor's new paradigm

David J Buller1

  • 1Department of Philosophy, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA.

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Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...
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