The Adapted Mind: Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology is an approach that explains psychological traits such as perception, memory, and language as adaptations. This approach is focused on how evolution has shaped mind and behavior. Michael Ghiselin coined the term evolutionary psychology, making him a key theorist. Other key theorists include Jerome Barkow, Leda Cosminde, and John Tooby. These three popularized the concept of evolutionary psychology with their book “The Adapted Mind: Evolutionary Psychology and the Generation of Culture.” This approach views behavior as an evolutionary adaptation. According to this, emotions and cognitions adapt to the changing time and environment. Some key terms that are associated with his approach are natural selection and adaptation.