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Our experience of the world is driven by processes common to all animals: growth, survival, reproduction and death. Evolution and Human Behaviour explores the complexities of the human experience through the lens of Darwinism, drawing on a long and vibrant tradition of different theories and interpretations. This textbook offers a compelling synthesis of key concepts, addressing human thought, feeling and behaviour in fundamental evolutionary terms.
This is a essential text for undergraduate students taking courses in psychology, human biology, ethology, anthropology and human behavioural ecology, providing an insightful and comprehensive introduction for anyone who wishes to understand how human behaviour has evolved.
new_to_this_edition
- Additional chapters on health and disease, homosexuality, the nature of adaptations and life history theory
- Includes brand-new material on epigenetics, patterns of crime, error management theory, moral foundations theory, religion and gene culture co-evolution
- Now accompanied by a companion website offering additional reading material and useful practice questions
- New 'controversy' boxes in each chapter, providing ideas for essay topics and classroom discussion
List of contents
Historical Introduction: Evolution and Theories of Mind and Behaviour, Darwin and After.- Foundations of Darwinian Psychology.- Natural Selection, Inclusive Fitness and the Selfish Gene.- Sex and Sexual Selection.- The evolution of the Hominins.- The Quintessence of Dust: The Hominin Package.- Adaptations and Evolved Design.- Life History Theory.- Cognition and modularity.- Emotions.- Altruism and Cooperation.- Conflict and Crime.- Human Sexual Behaviour: Anthropological Perspectives.- Human Mate Choice: The Evolutionary Logic of Sexual Desire.-Facial Atractiveness.- The Paradox of Homosexuality.- Incest Avoidance and the Westermark Effect.- Darwinian Medicine: Evolutionary Perspectives on Health and Disease.- Three Case Studies in Evolution and Health: Diet, Cancer and Mental Disorder.- The Evolution of Culture: Genes and Memes.- Ethics
About the author
John Cartwright
Summary
This comprehensive book offers a compelling synthesis of key ideas and concepts, and addresses in fundamental evolutionary terms the way humans think, feel and behave. This revised, updated and expanded edition includes new material on epigenetics, life history and error management theories, homosexuality, disease and gene-culture co-evolution.
Report
"Cartwright's book is worth a careful look if you are seeking a general and current overview of evolutionary theory applied to human behavior, or if you are trying to identify a resource on the evolution of human behavior for teaching purposes. ... The book is of value to a non-evolutionary scholar or student seeking a manageable overview of evolutionary approaches to human behavior. ... I have not found a better volume than Cartwright's book for teaching purposes ... ." (Peter B. Gray, Human Nature, Vol. 28, 2017)
