How Psychologist's Theory Of Mind Evolved Adaption
What do psychologists mean by theory of mind? Discuss the claim that theory of mind is an evolved adaption
This essay will be discussing the claim of what psychologists mean by theory of mind and the claim that it is an evolved adaption.
‘Theory of mind is essentially the ability of an individual to respond differently, according to assumptions about the beliefs and desires of another individual, rather than according only the others overt behaviour’ (Bryne and Whitten, cited in Clegg, 2007, p.133). In other words the theory of mind is a person studying another’s behaviour and characteristics to become a more attractive partner than others in society. Understanding another helps to gain information and knowledge and then applying these to themselves, essential to survival and reproductive …show more content…
One way to back this would be to look at how peacocks chose their mate by sexual selection. ‘Sexual selection works by the individual differences in physical and psychological traits affecting access to the quantity and quality of mates available’ (Gangestad and Thornhill, cited in Clegg, 2007, p. 124). The more mates the peacocks attracts, the more success they will have with their offspring and quality of carer for the young which inherit the best physical and psychological traits increasing success. One mechanism for sexual selection is intersexual selection. This is where for example; a peacock will chose a mate for a characteristic or ability that mirrors the peacock’s quality. ‘For example the condition of the bird’s plumage, such as the peacock’s tail, may indicate its health in terms of disease resistance and parasite infestation’ (Clegg, 2007, p. 124). Those with better tails gain more mates than those without increasing success due to the peacock surviving longer for being able to fight off infections thus passing this ability off to the their
This essay will be discussing the claim of what psychologists mean by theory of mind and the claim that it is an evolved adaption.
‘Theory of mind is essentially the ability of an individual to respond differently, according to assumptions about the beliefs and desires of another individual, rather than according only the others overt behaviour’ (Bryne and Whitten, cited in Clegg, 2007, p.133). In other words the theory of mind is a person studying another’s behaviour and characteristics to become a more attractive partner than others in society. Understanding another helps to gain information and knowledge and then applying these to themselves, essential to survival and reproductive …show more content…
One way to back this would be to look at how peacocks chose their mate by sexual selection. ‘Sexual selection works by the individual differences in physical and psychological traits affecting access to the quantity and quality of mates available’ (Gangestad and Thornhill, cited in Clegg, 2007, p. 124). The more mates the peacocks attracts, the more success they will have with their offspring and quality of carer for the young which inherit the best physical and psychological traits increasing success. One mechanism for sexual selection is intersexual selection. This is where for example; a peacock will chose a mate for a characteristic or ability that mirrors the peacock’s quality. ‘For example the condition of the bird’s plumage, such as the peacock’s tail, may indicate its health in terms of disease resistance and parasite infestation’ (Clegg, 2007, p. 124). Those with better tails gain more mates than those without increasing success due to the peacock surviving longer for being able to fight off infections thus passing this ability off to the their