Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Behavior

Abstract

Evolutionary perspectives on human behavior (EPB) is a broad interdisciplinary field that appliesthe principles of evolution by natural selection to the study of human behavior. EPB researchersargue that many human behaviors, including aggression, altruism, mate selection, and parenting,can be understood as adaptations that evolved to help our ancestors survive and reproduce intheir environment. One of the key concepts in EPB is the behavioral immune system (BIS). TheBIS is a set of cognitive and behavioral mechanisms that help us to avoid and defend againstinfectious diseases. For example, the BIS may motivate us to avoid contact with people who aresick, to wash our hands frequently, and to avoid eating contaminated food. Another key conceptin EPB is sickness behavior. Sickness behavior is a suite of physiological and behavioral changesthat occur when we are sick. These changes, such as fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite, arethought to help us to conserve energy and to fight off infection. EPB is a rapidly growing field ofresearch, and new insights are being made all the time. EPB has the potential to help us to betterunderstand a wide range of human behaviors, and to develop more effective interventions foraddressing social problems.