Evolutionary Psychology vs. Behavioral Ecology

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that several distinct approaches can be distinguished in current-day sociobiology. Among them are evolutionary psychology and behavioral ecology. The writer explains that evolutionary psychology attempts to explain mental and psychological traits, such as memory, perception, or language, as adaptations, that is, as the functional products of natural selection. The writer then points out that behavioral ecology is the study of the ecological and evolutionary basis for animal behavior, and the roles of behavior in enabling an animal to adapt to its environment, both intrinsic and extrinsic. This essay examines the similarities and differences between evolutionary psychology and behavioral ecology. The writer concludes that evolutionary psychology and behavioral ecology share both similarities and differences and notes that these two theories are very important to anthropological research study.

From the Paper:

"They seek to explain human behavior in terms of Darwinian evolutionary theory. Both propose that differential reproductive success shapes the evolution of social behavior of all organisms, including humans. Both argue that because humans are biological organisms, they are subject to the same evolutionary laws as other life-forms. Given that there is a genetic component to behavior, those behavior patterns that improve an organism's adaptation to its environment will be selected for and reproduced in future generations. Both theories are very specifically concerned with Darwinian fitness. Both understand individual cultural traits to be evolving under the pressure of reproductive success: natural selection favors those behaviors that lead to greater numbers of offspring."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alcock, J. 2005. Animal Behavior: An Evolutionary Approach (8th ed.). Sunderland, MA: Sinauer.
• Borgerhoff Mulder, M. 2007. On the utility, not the necessity of tracking current fitness. In S.W. Gangestad and J.A. Simpson (Eds.) The Evolution of Mind: Fundamental Questions and Controversies (pp. 78 - 83). Guildford Press: New York.
• Buss, D.M. 1995. Evolutionary Psychology: A New Paradigm for Psychological Science. Psychological Inquiry, 6, 1-30.
• Giraldeau, L.-A., and Caraco, T. 2000. Social Foraging Theory. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
• Giske, J., Mangel, M., Jakobsen, P., Huse, G., Wilcox, C., and Strand, E. 2003. Explicit trade-off rules in proximate adaptive agents. Evolutionary Ecology Research, 5, 835-865.

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