1. Two principles of evolutionary psychology are (1) “Different neural circuits are specialized for solving different adaptive problems”, and (2) “Our modern skulls house a stone age mind”. Discuss these principles in terms of what they mean and how they relate to one another. Be sure to define what “adaptive problems” are, and to explain what they have to do with “the stone age” and with the psychology of modern humans.

The sole purpose of the human mind is to reproduce itself. Through the evolutionary process heritable genes have programmed sets of behaviours into the mind. The foundation of human culture and society as a whole is built on the need to reproduce...or so the evolutionary psychological argument states.

This is a theory that may strike people as being crude, but it is one that has gained increasing popularity. The recognition of this new science is reflected in its media coverage, which has spread from Cosmo to Time. (Malik)

Despite this, the credibility of this theory needs to be questioned. This essay aims to answer this question through tackling two basic principles of Evolutionary psychology; our minds have different neural circuits that have specified purposes to solve different adaptive problems and many modern social problems arise from the fact our minds are adapted for the Stone Age.

Evolutionary Psychology is an approach that allows us to develop predictions in all fields of psychology. It is based on the theory that our behaviour is influenced by biological evolution. This stands against the behaviourist approach that believes that when we are born, our minds are blank canvases on which our experiences become imprinted and these imprints determine our behaviour (also known as the standard social science model [SSSM]). Evolutionary Psychology looks through the eye of natural selection and claims that traits in behaviour are heritable if they affect the extent to which an individual can reproduce.

In order to fully understand the main ideas in EP, a very different outlook on life to one’s usual daily perception is required. Firstly, one needs to comprehend the full extent to which our behaviour is ruled by a series of instincts, opposed to the idea that we conduct ourselves through reasoning. The reason the majority of the population has failed to see this is because these instincts work so effortlessly, in perfect co-ordination. Therefore, in order to truly understand EP we need to make the natural seem strange to avoid this automated lack of understanding. (James. W 1890)  

The notions that EP presents could provide a greater understanding of human behaviour and potentially present improved methods of dealing with psychological problems. However, this kind of development is only possible through the identification and exploration of adaptive problems and their neural basis (Tooby & Cosmides 1997). Adaptive problems are issues that humanity faces or has faced which threaten our ability to reproduce. These include the simplest of things, for example; keeping warm, choosing the right food, defending one’s self, avoiding disease and anything that could affect human survival. Adaptive problems also include issues such as, focusing light, killing harmful bacteria, regenerating tissue, attracting a mate etc.

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Theorists have simplified the theory of Evolutionary Psychology into five main principles. One of these principles states that ‘different neural circuits are specialized for solving different adaptive problems’. This completely separates the theory from any notion that the human mind has a multi-functional area that deals with all types of reasoning, learning and decision-making (Tooby & Cosmides 1997). When we look at the way our organs are specified to fulfil different purposes i.e. the heart pumps blood and cannot help us digest food, similarly the lungs are useless for circulating blood, (Hagen. E, 2004) we can begin to understand ...

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