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Evolutionary Psychology

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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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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Practical Guide to Phage- and Robotics-Assisted Near-Continuous Evolution

A Practical Guide to Phage- and Robotics-Assisted Near-Continuous Evolution

Published on: January 12, 2024

Integrating evolution and development: from theory to practice.

Ehud Lamm¹, Eva Jablonka

¹The Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Sciences and Ideas, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. ehudlamm@post.tau.ac.il

Perspectives in Biology and Medicine

|November 19, 2008

Summary

Evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) offers a synthesis to amend the modern evolutionary synthesis by integrating development. This consolidation is timely, mapping theoretical and experimental approaches for a comprehensive understanding.

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Last Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Practical Guide to Phage- and Robotics-Assisted Near-Continuous Evolution

A Practical Guide to Phage- and Robotics-Assisted Near-Continuous Evolution

Published on: January 12, 2024

Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Developmental biology
Evo-devo

Background:

The modern synthesis of evolution, dominant since the 1940s, has theoretical gaps.
Developmental processes were historically excluded from the modern synthesis's framework.
A growing body of work seeks to integrate developmental biology with evolutionary theory.

Purpose of the Study:

To consolidate diverse approaches within evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo).
To present evo-devo as a potential replacement or amendment to the modern synthesis.
To map the theoretical landscape and experimental methodologies of evo-devo.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of existing research and theoretical frameworks in evolutionary developmental biology.
Analysis of the historical context and limitations of the modern synthesis.
Identification of key theoretical and experimental avenues within evo-devo.

Main Results:

The field of evo-devo is maturing, making consolidation feasible and productive.
There is a strong consensus that the time is right for a unified evo-devo perspective.
The volume provides a roadmap for integrating developmental insights into evolutionary theory.

Conclusions:

Evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) is poised to offer a more complete understanding of evolution.
Consolidating evo-devo research is a timely and scientifically valuable endeavor.
This synthesis aims to weave together developmental reasoning into a coherent evolutionary framework.