Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective01:23

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective

263
In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
263
Criteria for Causality: Bradford Hill Criteria - II01:28

Criteria for Causality: Bradford Hill Criteria - II

1.1K
The Bradford Hill criteria serve as guidelines for establishing causative links in epidemiological research. Beyond Strength, Consistency, Specificity, and Temporality, key criteria also include Biological Gradient, Plausibility, Coherence, Experiment, and Analogy. These principles assist scientists in assessing the likelihood of causation in complex biological contexts. Below is a summary of these concepts:
1.1K
Evolutionary Psychology01:20

Evolutionary Psychology

818
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...
818
Causality in Epidemiology01:21

Causality in Epidemiology

1.4K
Causality or causation is a fundamental concept in epidemiology, vital for understanding the relationships between various factors and health outcomes. Despite its importance, there's no single, universally accepted definition of causality within the discipline. Drawing from a systematic review, causality in epidemiology encompasses several definitions, including production, necessary and sufficient, sufficient-component, counterfactual, and probabilistic models. Each has its strengths and...
1.4K
Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences01:28

Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences

173
Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
173
The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

47.4K
Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.
47.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

From genetic to postgenomic determinisms: The role of the environment reconsidered : Introduction to the collection 'Postgenomic determinisms: Environmental narratives after the century of the gene'.

History and philosophy of the life sciences·2025
Same author

Global climate change, diet, and the complex relationship between human host and microbiome: Towards an integrated picture.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2021
Same author

The holobiont concept before Margulis.

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution·2020
Same author

O Organism, Where Art Thou? Old and New Challenges for Organism-Centered Biology.

Journal of the history of biology·2018

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

1.3K

What's Wrong with Evolutionary Causation?

Jan Baedke1

  • 1Department of Philosophy I, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany. jan.baedke@rub.de.

Acta Biotheoretica
|April 15, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Evolutionary biology needs to consider developmental and organismal causes for a more complete understanding of evolution. Rethinking evolutionary causation involves agency, individuality, and environmental factors.

Keywords:
AgencyEnvironmentEvolutionary causationIndividualityKuhnLakatosPopper

More Related Videos

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning
14:38

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Published on: November 2, 2012

12.1K
Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
09:00

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: May 2, 2018

12.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

1.3K
Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning
14:38

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Published on: November 2, 2012

12.1K
Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
09:00

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: May 2, 2018

12.2K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Philosophy of science

Background:

  • Recent debates question the traditional view of evolutionary causation.
  • The need to incorporate developmental and organismal factors is highlighted.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reflect on the causal role of agency, individuality, and environment in evolution.
  • To critically discuss philosophical frameworks of theory change in evolutionary biology.

Main Methods:

  • Review essay analyzing the volume 'Evolutionary Causation' by Uller and Laland.
  • Critical discussion of classical philosophical theories of scientific change (Popper, Kuhn, Lakatos).

Main Results:

  • Evolutionary causation requires a broader perspective beyond traditional genetic determinism.
  • Agency, individuality, and environmental interactions are crucial causal elements.
  • Classical philosophical frameworks offer tools but need adaptation for current evolutionary debates.

Conclusions:

  • A more inclusive model of evolutionary causation is necessary.
  • Integrating developmental and organismal perspectives enriches evolutionary theory.
  • Philosophical analysis aids in understanding the dynamic nature of evolutionary explanations.