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

Evolutionary Psychology01:20

Evolutionary Psychology

684
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...
684
Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective01:23

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective

221
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...
221
Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences01:28

Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences

138
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...
138
What is Behavior?00:54

What is Behavior?

9.7K
Behaviors are actions that an organism engages in—they can be related to finding food, reproducing, defending against threats, and many other possible actions. Behaviors include activities related to the environment around the animal—such as migration—as well as social interactions within a species or population. Many behaviors involve motor output—that is, muscle movements—while others involve less visible actions, such as learning.
9.7K
Natural Selection and Adaptation01:15

Natural Selection and Adaptation

1.0K
Natural selection, a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, is the mechanism by which evolution is driven, favoring organisms that are best adapted to their environments. This process enhances their chances of survival and reproduction. Adaptation, a key outcome of this process, involves genetic modifications that optimize an organism's functionality under specific environmental challenges, such as extreme cold or thinner air at high altitudes.
Beyond physical adaptations,...
1.0K
Scientific Nature of Social Psychology01:30

Scientific Nature of Social Psychology

371
Social psychology is a scientific discipline dedicated to understanding how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts. Unlike common sense, which relies on anecdotal experiences and intuition, social psychology employs systematic research and empirical methods to ensure objectivity and reliability. This distinction is fundamental in distinguishing scientifically supported findings from mere speculation.Four fundamental scientific values guide a structured approach to research in...
371

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Diversifying Methods in Evolutionary Anthropology: Autophotography as a Tool for Quasi-Naturalistic Observation of Human Behavior.

Evolutionary anthropology·2026
Same author

Efficacy and effectiveness of melatonin for the management of musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo and active controlled trials.

Pain·2026
Same author

Three-dimensional absorber correction for EUV mask defect compensation.

Optics express·2026
Same author

Jet-induced rainfall seasonality and C<sub>4</sub> migration over East Asia.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Changes in sleep and clinical outcomes in hip osteoarthritis: A longitudinal secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

Osteoarthritis and cartilage open·2026
Same author

Inbreeding avoidance in the Raute hunter-gatherers from Nepal.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 25, 2025

A Real-Time Interactive System for Studying Confrontational Pursuit Behavior in Rodents
06:25

A Real-Time Interactive System for Studying Confrontational Pursuit Behavior in Rodents

Published on: May 16, 2025

936

How evolutionary behavioural sciences can help us understand behaviour in a pandemic.

Megan Arnot1, Eva Brandl1, O L K Campbell1

  • 1Department of Anthropology, University College London, 14 Taviton Street, London, UK.

Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health
|December 15, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Understanding evolutionary psychology is key to managing pandemics. Individual gene-spreading drives conflict with public health behaviors, necessitating environmental and social changes for long-term compliance.

Keywords:
COVID-19behaviour changebehavioural ecologycultural evolutionlockdownsocial distancing

More Related Videos

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

1.2K
Author Spotlight: Exploring Behavioral Pathways Through Cross-Species Insights in Foraging and Communication
03:53

Author Spotlight: Exploring Behavioral Pathways Through Cross-Species Insights in Foraging and Communication

Published on: November 17, 2023

1.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 25, 2025

A Real-Time Interactive System for Studying Confrontational Pursuit Behavior in Rodents
06:25

A Real-Time Interactive System for Studying Confrontational Pursuit Behavior in Rodents

Published on: May 16, 2025

936
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

1.2K
Author Spotlight: Exploring Behavioral Pathways Through Cross-Species Insights in Foraging and Communication
03:53

Author Spotlight: Exploring Behavioral Pathways Through Cross-Species Insights in Foraging and Communication

Published on: November 17, 2023

1.4K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary psychology
  • Behavioral science
  • Public health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of public health and behavioral science.
  • Current public health advice often focuses on proximate behavioral determinants, neglecting evolutionary underpinnings.
  • Epidemiological models typically assume stable human behavior, failing to account for behavioral change dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore how an evolutionary perspective can enhance understanding of pandemic-related behavior change.
  • To examine the evolutionary basis of individual behavior in the context of public health crises.
  • To inform individual and governmental decision-making for effective pandemic management.

Main Methods:

  • Review of evolutionary theory concerning human preferences and cultural dynamics.
  • Analysis of ultimate (evolutionary) explanations for behaviors like social distancing and compliance.
  • Critique of 'good of the group' and 'one-size-fits-all' policy approaches.

Main Results:

  • Human psychology and behavior evolved to maximize inclusive fitness, not necessarily health.
  • This can create conflicts between individual self-interest and public health requirements.
  • Appeals to group benefit and uniform policies are insufficient for sustained long-term behavior change.

Conclusions:

  • Evolutionary insights reveal why individual behavior may not align with pandemic control measures.
  • Long-term pandemic management requires facilitating environmental and social changes, not just behavioral advice.
  • Policy interventions should consider improving societal conditions, especially for disadvantaged groups, to foster compliance.