Evolutionary Psychology

This accessible guide provides an introduction to evolutionary psychology - the fascinating and often controversial new discipline that studies human behavior, evolution and the mind. Starting with its origins in the work of Charles Darwin, the book covers all the key areas of evolutionary psychology, including the role played by genetics in our sexual behavior, parental decision-making, and how babies learn about and adapt to the world. In clear and straight-forward language, the book also breaks new ground in examining the debates and ethical questions raised right now by evolutionary psychology and contemplating their implications for the future of humankind.

ISBN 1851683569   Pages 192 ISBN13 9781851683567 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher Oneworld Publications   Weight (grammes) 236 Imprint Oneworld Publications   Published in London Format Paperback   Series title Beginner's Guides Publication date 28 Apr 2005   Height (mm) 216 Library of Congress BF   Width (mm) 135 DEWEY 155.7   Spine width (mm) 15 DEWEY edition DC22   Academic level General

1		Why do we need evolution?		1
2		What evolution did for us		12
3		Genes, development and instinct		30
4		How to make us human		45
5		Choosing mates		60
6		The dilemmas of parenthood		76
7		The social whirl		90
8		Language and culture		105
9		The uniqueness of human being		121
10		Virtual worlds		134
11		The science of morality		149

The evolutionary approach to the human mind is becoming more and more influential, but its claims and assumptions are often misunderstood by proponents and critics alike. This slim but important volume gives us a very readable - and much needed - overview of what evolutionary psychology is and is not. Daniel Nettle, University of Newcastle Robin Dunbar, Louise Barrett, and John Lycett offer a crisp and accessible introduction to evolutionary psychology's key principles and findings. By shining the light of Darwin's big idea on human behavior and thinking they show how genetic and cultural evolution might work together to predispose our central human traits, our moral inclinations, and even our uniqueness. David G. Myers, Professor of Psychology, Hope College, and author of The Pursuit of Happiness I like this book very much. It is well written and easy to read, and clears up many of the most persistent misunderstandings about evolutionary psychology. The many examples make clear why evolutionary psychology should underpin all areas of psychology rather than being treated as a separate area itself. Susan Blackmore, author of The Meme Machine Evolutionary psychology is not a particular school of thought but the general study of psychology from an evolutionary perspective. Robin Dunbar, Louise Barrett, and John Lycett have done an admirable job of making this synthesis-in-progress entertaining and accessible to any interested reader. D. Sloan Wilson, Professor of Biology and Anthropology, Binghamton University, New York

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