Human Nature & Cultural Diversity

Evolution & Behavior    

Ψ  Evolutionary Psychology studies how natural selection predisposes not  just physical traits but psychological 
traits & social behaviors that enhance the preservation & spread of one's genes.    

Ψ  Natural selection is the process by which favorable traits that are heritable become more common in 
successive generations of a population, & unfavorable traits that are heritable become less common. Natural 
selection is one of the cornerstones of modern biology. The term was introduced by Charles Darwin in his 
groundbreaking 1859 book The Origin of Species.    

Ψ  The evolutionary perspective highlights our universal human nature. Evolutionary psychologists highlight the 
universal characteristics that have evolved through natural selection. 

Culture & Behavior    

Ψ  Our most important similarity, the hallmark of our species: the ability to learn & adapt.    

Ψ  We are on a loose genetic leash, about half of what we do is learned (adapted). "Ironically, therefore, our 
shared human biology enables our cultural diversity." (David G. Myers) 

Cultural Diversity    

Ψ  Cultural norms are behavior patterns that are typical of specific groups. All cultures have accepted ideal 
about appropriate behavior. Some norms are healthy & some are not.     

Ψ  Norm: Personal space is the region surrounding each person, or that area which a person considers his 
domain or territory. What distance is appropriate for a particular social situation depends on cultural norms. 

Cultural Similarity    

Ψ  Some norms are universal. Best Known is the taboo against incest.    

Ψ  Forms of address communicate not only social distance but also social status (status hierarchies).  
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                                                                 Social Psychology
                                                                    Robert C. Gates