Evolutionary psychology : alternative approaches / edited by Steven J. Scher, Frederick Rauscher.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Scher, Steven J., 1962-

Rauscher, Frederick, 1961-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Genetic psychology.

Physical Description:

xviii, 265 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Boston : Kluwer Academic Publishers, [2003]

Summary:

Evolutionary psychology has been dominated by one particular method for studying the mind and behavior. This is the first book to both question that monopoly and suggest a broad range of particular alternatives. Psychologists, philosophers, biologists, anthropologists, and others offer different methods for combining psychology and evolution. They recommend specific changes to evolutionary psychology using a wide variety of theoretical assumptions. In addition, some essays analyze the underpinnings of the dominant method, relate it to the context of evolutionary and psychological theory and to general philosophy of science, and discuss how to test approaches to evolutionary psychology. The aim of this collection is not to reject evolutionary psychology but to open up new vistas which students and researchers can use to ensure that evolutionary psychology continues to thrive.

Contents:

Alternative Approaches to Evolutionary Psychology: Introduction / Frederick Rauscher, Steven J. Scher xi

Nature Read in Truth or Flaw: Locating Alternatives in Evolutionary Psychology / Steven J. Scher, Frederick Rauscher 1

The Evaluation of Competing Approaches within Human Evolutionary Psychology / Timothy Ketelaar 31

Evolution, Morality, and Human Potential / David Sloan Wilson 55

Repeated Assembly: Prospects for Saying What We Mean / Linnda Caporael 71

Human Triangles: Genes, Sex and Economics in Human Evolution / Niles Eldredge 91

The Optimal Number of Fathers: Evolution, Demography, and History in the Shaping of Female Mate Preferences / Sarah Blaffer Hrdy 111

Dancing in the Dark: Evolutionary Psychology and the Argument from Design / Karola C. Stotz, Paul E. Griffiths 135

Adaptationism and Psychological Explanation / Dominic Murphy 161

Toward a Developmental Evolutionary Psychology: Genes, Development, and the Evolution of Cognitive Architecture / Steven Quartz 185

Modules, Brain Parts, and Evolutionary Psychology / William Bechtel 211

Evolutionary Psychology and the Information-Processing Model of Cognition / Jennifer Mundale 229

Evolutionary Psychology and Artificial Life / Domenico Parisi 243.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

1402072791

OCLC:

50622394