Buss, Chapter 1

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Buss, Chapter 1
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Early Evolution Theories

• Lamarckinevitable progress acquired
  characteristics
  
• Cuviercatastrophism

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Darwins Theory

• Natural selectionvariation, inheritance,
  selection
  
• Variation due to mutation, recombination
• Inheritance through genes
• Selection survival and reproduction more likely
  for some variants

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Darwins Theory

• Sexual selection factors affecting successful
  mating
  
• Intrasexual competition
• Intersexual selection

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Additional evolution factors

• Genetic drift due to mutations, founder effect,
  genetic bottlenecks
  
• Now know that evolution is not intentional or
  goal-seeking especially true humans were not
  the goal of evolution, and greater
  complexity/intelligence not always the result of
  evolution
• All species related

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Additional factors

• Evolution is gradualwhen say organism adapted to
  environment, usually takes many generations for
  it to occur
  

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Ethology

• Behaviors shaped by genes (like structures)
• Early ethology work imprinting in ducks, geese
• Weaknesses 1. calling it an instinct doesnt
  explain it, 2. studied only observable behavior,
  3. few criteria for determining what is an
  adaptation

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HamiltonInclusive Fitness

• Classical fitness focused only on individual
  organism
  
• Hamiltonconsider relatives as well
• If you contribute to survival or reproductive
  success of a relative, some of your genes get
  passed down also
  
• Implications parental care, behavior toward
  close relatives has adaptive benefits (i.e., are
  selected for)
  

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Trivers Theories

• Reciprocal altruismto explain altruism in
  non-relatives
  
• Parental investment theoryguided understanding
  of sexual selection
  
• Parent-offspring conflictbased on selfish gene
  considerations

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Common Misunderstandings

• Genetic determinismjust because genes affect
  behavior, it is not being claimed that they are
  the only, or even dominant, factor
  
• Example (book uses calluses) also suntanning

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misunderstandings

• If it is evolutionary, we cant change it
• Mean Genes book written to show how we can change
  our behavior, and more successfully if we
  understand what our natural tendencies are

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Misunderstandings

• Current mechanisms are optimally designed
• EP assumption is that some of our problems are
  due to mismatch between our design and our
  environment
  
• No design is perfect trade-offs environment
  can change