Psychology SL
Psychology SL
9
Chapters
238
Notes
Unit 1 - Research Methodology
Unit 1 - Research Methodology
Unit 2 - Biological Approach To Behaviour
Unit 2 - Biological Approach To Behaviour
Unit 3 - Cognitive Approach To Behaviour
Unit 3 - Cognitive Approach To Behaviour
Unit 4 - Sociocultural Approach To Behaviour
Unit 4 - Sociocultural Approach To Behaviour
Unit 6 - Health psychology
Unit 6 - Health psychology
Unit 7 - Pyschology Of Human Relationships
Unit 7 - Pyschology Of Human Relationships
Unit 8 - Developmental psychology
Unit 8 - Developmental psychology
Unit 9 - Internal Assessment
Unit 9 - Internal Assessment
Unit 10 - The IB Curriculum - A Conceptual Model
Unit 10 - The IB Curriculum - A Conceptual Model
IB Resources
Unit 2 - Biological Approach To Behaviour
Psychology SL
Psychology SL

Unit 2 - Biological Approach To Behaviour

Evolutionary Psychology: Myths, Mechanisms, & Modern Debates

Word Count Emoji
627 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited onย 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

๐Ÿš€ Introduction

  • Evolutionary psychology helps explain a lot, making sense of our observations.
  • But! (Yes, there's a but) There are criticisms we need to know.

i Battle of the brains massive modularity vs. neuroplasticity ๐Ÿง 

  • Evolutionary psychology assumes our mind is built of modules shaped by evolution.
  • Module, huh? ๐Ÿค” Think about your phone's apps. Each app (module) has a specific function.
  • Twist: Our brains can change (neuroplasticity). So, where do the module boundaries go?
  • Real-world example: Some monkeys have a "snake alarm" in their brains - a special module that detects snakes. It's so specialized, even monkeys who've never seen a snake react to it!
  • Dilemma: While specialized modules (like snake alarms) are believable, the idea of a full modular brain is controversial.

ii A walk down memory earth? speculations about the environment ๐ŸŒ

  • For a trait to evolve, it adapts to an environment.
  • Problem: Our knowledge about early human environments is like swiss cheese - full of holes!
  • ๐ŸŒด For instance: Were our ancestors always near trees or did they migrate frequently? Each scenario affects how traits might've evolved.

iii Testing, 1, 2, 3 testability ๐Ÿ“š

  • Some say evolutionary explanations can't be tested easily.
  • Critics argue that we can make up stories (called ad hoc fallacies) about anything.
  • Example: Explaining being kind by saying it helps our family genes, but being selfish helps our own genes.
  • Yet, not all evolutionary theories are just "stories". Some researchers actually set and test predictions!

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IB Resources
Unit 2 - Biological Approach To Behaviour
Psychology SL
Psychology SL

Unit 2 - Biological Approach To Behaviour

Evolutionary Psychology: Myths, Mechanisms, & Modern Debates

Word Count Emoji
627 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited onย 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

๐Ÿš€ Introduction

  • Evolutionary psychology helps explain a lot, making sense of our observations.
  • But! (Yes, there's a but) There are criticisms we need to know.

i Battle of the brains massive modularity vs. neuroplasticity ๐Ÿง 

  • Evolutionary psychology assumes our mind is built of modules shaped by evolution.
  • Module, huh? ๐Ÿค” Think about your phone's apps. Each app (module) has a specific function.
  • Twist: Our brains can change (neuroplasticity). So, where do the module boundaries go?
  • Real-world example: Some monkeys have a "snake alarm" in their brains - a special module that detects snakes. It's so specialized, even monkeys who've never seen a snake react to it!
  • Dilemma: While specialized modules (like snake alarms) are believable, the idea of a full modular brain is controversial.

ii A walk down memory earth? speculations about the environment ๐ŸŒ

  • For a trait to evolve, it adapts to an environment.
  • Problem: Our knowledge about early human environments is like swiss cheese - full of holes!
  • ๐ŸŒด For instance: Were our ancestors always near trees or did they migrate frequently? Each scenario affects how traits might've evolved.

iii Testing, 1, 2, 3 testability ๐Ÿ“š

  • Some say evolutionary explanations can't be tested easily.
  • Critics argue that we can make up stories (called ad hoc fallacies) about anything.
  • Example: Explaining being kind by saying it helps our family genes, but being selfish helps our own genes.
  • Yet, not all evolutionary theories are just "stories". Some researchers actually set and test predictions!

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Psychology SL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 ๐ŸŒŸ