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Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology

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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

The middle way of evolution.

¹University of California Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara, CA USA.

Communicative & Integrative Biology

|November 28, 2012

Summary

This essay critiques natural selection and evolutionary theory, proposing a generalized sexual selection theory that incorporates mind. This new framework aims to resolve the tautology problem and offer a more comprehensive view of evolution.

Keywords:

Coyne Dawkins Whitehead evolution generalized agentic selection generalized sexual selection natural selection panpsychism sexual selection tautology

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Philosophy of science

Background:

Critically reviews "The Greatest Show on Earth" by Richard Dawkins and "Why Evolution is True" by Jerry Coyne.
Examines limitations in mainstream evolutionary theory and natural selection.
Identifies the "tautology problem" in natural selection theory.

Purpose of the Study:

To critique current evolutionary theory and natural selection.
To propose a generalized sexual selection theory acknowledging mind in nature.
To offer a refined framework for understanding biological change.

Main Methods:

Critical literature review of key evolutionary texts.
Conceptual analysis of natural selection and sexual selection theories.
Development of a "propensity approach" to natural selection using "expected fitness".

Main Results:

Natural selection requires careful framing to avoid tautology.
A "propensity approach" can mitigate the tautology problem.
Generalized sexual selection, incorporating mind, offers a potential alternative general theory of evolution.

Conclusions:

Modern evolutionary theory can be improved by reframing natural selection.
Integrating a generalized sexual selection theory with other factors like genetic drift provides a more robust model.
Panpsychist extension of sexual selection may offer a superior general theory of evolution.