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Emotional disorders in evolutionary perspective

R Nesse1

  • 1The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48106-1248, USA. nesse@umich.edu

The British Journal of Medical Psychology
|January 6, 1999
PubMed
Summary
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Normal emotions evolved to aid reproductive success, not happiness. Understanding their evolutionary basis is key to identifying and treating emotional disorders, particularly those linked to social interactions.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary psychology
  • Behavioral neuroscience
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Normal emotions are adaptive states shaped by natural selection.
  • Emotions evolved to maximize reproductive success, not subjective well-being.
  • Negative emotions like anxiety and low mood are evolved defenses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary origins and functions of normal emotions.
  • To understand how evolutionary principles can inform the study of emotional disorders.
  • To highlight the role of social emotions in the development of psychological conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of evolutionary theory and emotional regulation.
  • Review of literature on the adaptive functions of emotions.

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  • Integration of evolutionary psychology with clinical psychology.

    • Main Results:

    • Emotions are evolutionary adaptations for survival and reproduction.
    • Anxiety and low mood are normal defenses, not inherently disorders.
    • Emotional disorders often stem from social emotions and relationship strategies.

    Conclusions:

    • An evolutionary perspective is crucial for understanding emotional disorders.
    • Further research into the precise functions of emotions is needed to define abnormality.
    • Evolutionary insights into social emotions offer potential therapeutic strategies for psychotherapists.