Psychology as a science
Of Levels of Analysis
Scientific Psychology vs. Bubba Psychology
The Goals of Science and the use of Theories and Hypotheses
Biopsychology
Proximal & Distal Causes
The Theory of Evolution
Overview of theory and natural selection
Evolution and brain structure
Evolution and human behavior
Proximal Cause--The immediate cause. In terms of biopsychology--current physiological structure and changes.
Distal Cause--The remote cause. In terms of biopsychology--evolutionary explanations.
Any inherited characteristics that increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction are selected for, and any that decrease the likelihood are selected against
Goldstein, 1994
Members of a species have characteristics that vary (e.g., beak size in birds).
At least some of these characteristics are passed on genetically.
Some of these variable characteristics will aid survival (e.g., a tough beak on nutty island)
Species produce more offspring than survive to be adults (i.e., some organisms die before procreating).