Introduction
Evolutionary Psychology covers topics such as status hierarchies, parent-offspring relationship, conflict between the sexes, aggression and cooperation (Buss, 2010). In the video of David Buss, he discusses some of the main features of Evolutionary psychology. The individual and civilization shows the effects civilization and society has on individuals. In civilization and the individual, Freud compares the external world and the feelings it causes a person to feel. He claims we are drawn to happiness and that individual’s avoid suffering in various ways such as; intoxication, withdrawing from the world, love, beauty or art, displacement of libido and influencing instinctual impulses (Buss, 2010). The following essay addresses the theme of sexual selection as compared to what has been learnt in the individual and civilization.
Discussion
David buss talks about how evolution and civilization has changed our thinking processes and psychological nature. Through the theory of natural selection which was proposed by Darwin we learn that the most adaptable creatures survive “survival of the fittest”. In the theory physical adaptations are emphasized, however Buss brings to light the psychological perspective to Darwin’s theory. Buss proposes that as the physical changes took place, there were also psychological changes taking place to enhance the adaptability of the species for natural selection to favor them. They explain behavioral, psychological and strategic adaptations. The same way physiological changes occurred in order to enhance survival is the same way psychological adaptations have evolved to increase the rates of survival. For example, the fear of heights. Freud proposes that evolution led to the beginning of formation of family ties and that sex also evolved from its periodic form to a continuous form leading to the need for a male to keep a female. He also explains that the female once she had children needed the male for protection hence stayed with him and this is how family ties began. According to Freud the beginning of continuous sexual relations rather than periodic one’s was as a result of the upright posture. Adoption of the upright posture led to enhanced visibility and therefore instead of attraction occurring through the olfactory senses. By rising above the ground, the genitals were exposed leading to shame and hence the beginning of search for materials to cover themselves, clothes and hence the beginning of civilization.
Despite Freud coming close to evolutionary psychology in his theory of sexual behavior, his explanation lacks enough rationality. There is no reason why the visual cues of attraction are more attractive than the olfactory senses. It also doesn’t explain the evolutionary psychology tendencies that could lead to shame when the genitals were exposed.
In the individual and civilization, Freud relates the vice of incest to the oedipal scene. The Oedipal scene is whereby Oedipus killed his father due to the love for the mother. Freud disagrees with the concept that maladaptive features were the result of the rise of taboo of incest. The rise of the incest taboo was another major step to civilization. However, in evolutionary psychology the rise of the incest taboo is as a result of maladaptive qualities which contradicts with Freud’s oedipal scene. Evolutionary psychology consists of tested and confirmed facts as can be depicted from David Buss video (Buss, 2010).
Conclusion
Evolutionary psychology and the Individual and civilization tend to differ at some points. Both of them talk about how things have changed through evolution and civilization to some extent. However, evolutionary psychology is more scientific in its approach and uses theories that have been tested and approved. The individual and civilization focuses more on the social context and its theories are not necessarily scientifically proven. Despite the differences one cannot simply ignore the relation between the two subjects.
Reference
Buss, D. M. (2010). Why students love evolutionary psychology and how to teach it. Austin.
American Psychological Association.
