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Related Concept Videos

Types of Selection01:46

Types of Selection

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Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...
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Natural Selection and Mating Preferences01:06

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The principle of natural selection posits that organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This principle is closely intertwined with mating preferences, a key aspect of sexual selection, which evolutionary psychologists believe is driven by instincts to propagate one's genes. Such instincts significantly influence mating behaviors and preferences between genders.
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Evolutionary Psychology01:20

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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...
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Frequency-dependent Selection01:21

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When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.
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Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.
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What is Natural Selection?01:32

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Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.
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Decoupling Design from Darwinian and Skinnerian Selection.

Edward A Wasserman1

  • 1University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA United States.

Perspectives on Behavior Science
|March 27, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Evolutionary thinking in science relies on natural selection, reinforcement selection, and cultural selection. Overcoming mentalism in explaining creative behaviors requires re-evaluating the term "selection."

Keywords:
EvolutionReinforcementRetentionSelectionVariation

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Behavioral science
  • Philosophy of science

Background:

  • Darwin's theory decoupled design from natural selection.
  • Skinner's work extended selection principles to behavior via reinforcement.
  • Cultural selection offers a third pillar of evolutionary thought.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the foundational pillars of evolutionary thinking.
  • To address the persistent issue of mentalism in explaining complex behaviors.
  • To explore the semantic challenges associated with the term 'selection.'

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of selectionist theories.
  • Review of historical contributions by Darwin and Skinner.
  • Examination of contemporary challenges in evolutionary psychology and philosophy.

Main Results:

  • Natural selection, reinforcement selection, and cultural selection are key evolutionary frameworks.
  • Mentalistic explanations persist, hindering a complete understanding of creative behaviors.
  • The term 'selection' itself may carry problematic connotations.

Conclusions:

  • Revisiting the concept of 'selection' is crucial for advancing evolutionary science.
  • A clearer understanding of selection mechanisms can help overcome mentalistic interpretations.
  • Integrating these three selectionist pillars offers a robust framework for evolutionary inquiry.