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Evolution and Psychology
First edition
- Scott A. MacDougall-Shackleton - Western University, Canada
Additional resources:
December 2023 | 496 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Evolution and Psychology is a critical exploration of how evolutionary approaches can be used to understand the human mind and behaviour.
Written for undergraduate students in the social sciences, this text provides an accessible introduction to foundational concepts in evolutionary biology. It then explores evolutionary perspectives on key psychological topics such as cognition, development, group dynamics, mate choice, language and communication, psychopathology, and culture. An interdisciplinary approach is woven throughout, integrating evolutionary psychology with insights from behavioural ecology, anthropology, genetics, and neuroscience.
You will learn to think critically about evolutionary explanations, with Warning Flag features throughout the text that address frequently misunderstood topics, common fallacies, and historical misuses and abuses of applying evolutionary theory to human behaviour.
This is an essential read for students of Evolutionary Psychology and anyone looking for a contemporary overview of this complex and captivating field.
Scott A. MacDougall-Shackleton is Professor of Psychology at Western University.
Written for undergraduate students in the social sciences, this text provides an accessible introduction to foundational concepts in evolutionary biology. It then explores evolutionary perspectives on key psychological topics such as cognition, development, group dynamics, mate choice, language and communication, psychopathology, and culture. An interdisciplinary approach is woven throughout, integrating evolutionary psychology with insights from behavioural ecology, anthropology, genetics, and neuroscience.
You will learn to think critically about evolutionary explanations, with Warning Flag features throughout the text that address frequently misunderstood topics, common fallacies, and historical misuses and abuses of applying evolutionary theory to human behaviour.
This is an essential read for students of Evolutionary Psychology and anyone looking for a contemporary overview of this complex and captivating field.
Scott A. MacDougall-Shackleton is Professor of Psychology at Western University.
Part I: Foundations
Chapter 1: Introduction to Evolution and Human Behaviour
Chapter 2: Natural and Sexual Selection
Chapter 3: Human Origins
Chapter 4: Evolutionary Approaches to the Study of Human Behaviour
Chapter 5: Development as a Central Process
Part II: Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Social Behaviour
Chapter 6: Reproductive Behaviour and Mate Choice
Chapter 7: Social Development & Kin-directed Behaviour
Chapter 8: Families & Groups: Cooperation and Conflict
Part III: Evolutionary Perspectives on Cognition
Chapter 9: Perception and Action
Chapter 10: Evolution and Cognition
Chapter 11: Language
Part IV: Evolutionary Perspectives on Psychopathology, Motivation and Emotion, Individual Differences, and Culture
Chapter 12: Evolution and Psychopathology
Chapter 13: Motivation, Emotion, and Individual Differences
Chapter 14: Culture and Evolution
Supplements
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Instructor Resources (Log-in needed)
Test Bank: A set of questions for each chapter, for directed learning or assessment purposes
Course Cartridge: Upload the Test Bank to your institution's virtual learning environment (i.e. Blackboard or Moodle)
Instructor Resources (Log-in needed)
Test Bank: A set of questions for each chapter, for directed learning or assessment purposes
Course Cartridge: Upload the Test Bank to your institution's virtual learning environment (i.e. Blackboard or Moodle)
A fascinating read, adopting an applied approach which offers insights in to human behaviours and choices.
The standard of writing is pitched well for undergraduate and is well referenced and mapped.
The writer does offer "red flag" sections where some critical analysis is applied in the form of alternate perspectives or interpretations. However, I would like to have seen more of these, for example where the evidence leads contrary to societal norms.
Overall, a wholly recommended text book.
Department of Nursing, Swansea University
December 17, 2024
