Evolutionary Psychology: A Primer

Evolutionary psychology is a field that explores how our mental processes and behaviors have been shaped by natural selection over time. It suggests that many of our instincts, social behaviors, and ways of thinking developed because they increased our ancestors’ chances of survival and reproduction. For example, fears, mate preferences, and social cooperation can be understood as adaptations that helped humans thrive in their environments. By studying these patterns, evolutionary psychology seeks to understand why we think, feel, and behave the way we do today, linking modern human psychology to our evolutionary past.