Evolutionary Explanations of Human Behaviour

Routledge Modular Psychology

by John H. Cartwright

In recent years, a new discipline has arisen that argues human behaviour can be understood in terms of evolutionary processes. Evolutionary Explanations of Human Behaviour is an introductory level book covering evolutionary psychology, this new and controversial field. The book deals with three main areas: human reproductive behaviour, evolutionary explanations of mental disorders and the evolution of intelligence and the brain. The book is particularly suitable for the AQA-A A2 syllabus, but will also be of interest to undergraduates studying evolutionary psychology for the first time and anyone with a general interest in this new discipline.

Genres: Psychology, Science, Nonfiction

210 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2001

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such an interesting read. Though today, some of the theories are quite outdated, especially around sexual selection. I liked the chapters on intelligence and mental health; the criticisms of the supportive arguments are well-balanced.
Not all of the answers were provided for the review exercises.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, in this book, presents us with possible explanations of how certain aspects of human behavior have formed through evolution.

Human intelligence has been very important for our survival, and has fundamentally differentiated us from our evolutionary relatives.
Why do we act in certain ways, why do we have these complex emotions and why are man and woman so different in many ways?
If you are interested in these questions, and you don't know much about them yet, then this book is certainly for you.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspective on today's human nature. The insights given were thought-provoking although often not substantiated by scientific research. Sometimes the concepts in the book felt like they contradicted each other in terms of explanations. In general, the book serves as a good introducing work for anyone interested in evolutionary psychology.

4 stars because of how much evolutionary psychology interests me. The book itself is not something outstanding I would say.

Edit: changed to 3 in hindsight it wasn't all that