InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "don't stop believin'!"

aubrem (aubrem) wrote,
@ 2007-11-16 18:18:00

Deliberately limited poll. Going for gut feeling.

Poll #617 sociobiology/evolutionary psychology
Open to: All, results viewable to: All

sociobiology and evolutionary psychology

View Answers

make sense to me
3 (25.0%)

eh, explain some things but shouldn't be taken too far
7 (58.3%)

are a crock
2 (16.7%)

(Post a new comment)

	auctasinistra 2007-11-17 08:14 am UTC (link)
	I hate to be difficult, but I'm going to have to ask you what you mean by those terms - sociobiology meaning some of our social behavior is innate? And Evolutionary psychology meaning ... that we've evolved psychologically? Sorry - I can't answer til I've grasped quite what theory is represented by the terms. (Reply to this) (Thread)

aubrem
2007-11-17 08:24 am UTC (link)

mm, not sure I want to define them. Basically, it's the idea that our behaviour (and psychology) is as much the product of natural selection as our physical bodies. Natural selection favors the ability to procreate and pass on genes - so, our social and psychological instincts would be in support of passing on our genes. One of the first examples arguing this is that men screw around a lot because making lots of babies is their best chance of passing on their genes. Women on the other hand, can only make a few babies (compared to men) so their instinct is to create a stable, monogamous home because they must invest in making sure their few children survive (if their genes are to continue).

Wikipedia would tell you more and probably more accurately.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	auctasinistra 2007-11-17 08:52 am UTC (link)
	Ah. I needed that to be sure I wasn't misunderstanding the terms - I didn't realize evolutionary psychology was the same thing as sociobiology. I can take your poll now! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	aubrem 2007-11-17 09:01 am UTC (link)
	Actually, the term was new to me recently. I guess sociobiology has moved on - evolutionary psychology is its "descendent." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	auctasinistra 2007-11-17 09:22 pm UTC (link)
	G And yet it hasn't moved past the juvenile need to rename itself something more pretentious, I see. :-) Plus ca change... Remember the scene in HHG where "Mode Execute Ready" replaced "Access Standby," which replaced "the appallingly stone-aged 'off'"? In so many ways, humans don't advance at all. :-) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	cordelia_v 2007-11-18 12:21 am UTC (link)
	I rank them right up there with astrology, myself. (Reply to this)