Evolutionary Psychology at University of Derby Simon Bignell

“ There is grandeur in this view of life... from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” Charles Darwin

Brain Size

Brain Size

Brain Size Across time ( a very long time really) our brains have grown. Ardipithecus 300cc Australopithecus 310-530cc Homohabilis 580-752cc Neanderthal 1200-1350cc Modern 1450cc So why have out brains become larger?

Across time ( a very long time really) our brains have grown.

Ardipithecus 300cc

Australopithecus 310-530cc

Homohabilis 580-752cc

Neanderthal 1200-1350cc

Modern 1450cc

So why have out brains become larger?

Brain Size It is thought that our brains grew because we became more "sophisticated" in our adaptation to our environment for example: social linguistic tool-making skills But which came first? There is still much debate over this issue.

It is thought that our brains grew because we became more "sophisticated" in our adaptation to our environment for example:

social

linguistic

tool-making skills

But which came first?

There is still much debate over this issue.

Language and Communication

Language and Communication

Language and Communication As you stand in front of this TV you are using your skills of communication. How? Well you are reading these words which hopefully are making sense to you! Other species also communicate with each other. What are they communicating? Well important information such as where is the source of food; where is my future mate; look out ! there are enemies.

As you stand in front of this TV you are using your skills of communication.

How? Well you are reading these words which hopefully are making sense to you!

Other species also communicate with each other.

What are they communicating? Well important information such as where is the source of food; where is my future mate; look out ! there are enemies.

Language and Communication Children learn language at a very rapid rate. Chomsky in 1959 argued that we are born with an innate ability to pick up language. We then add to this by hearing what is around us. So can chimps talk? In a limited way in that they use symbols or sign language, and it takes them a very long time to learn very few words compared with us.

Children learn language at a very rapid rate. Chomsky in 1959 argued that we are born with an innate ability to pick up language. We then add to this by hearing what is around us.

So can chimps talk? In a limited way in that they use symbols or sign language, and it takes them a very long time to learn very few words compared with us.

Sexual Attraction

Sexual Attraction

Sexual attraction So how do you find a mate? Do you consider their glossy plumage? Piercing cry? Sharp claws? Already having lots of females? Yes it is males that we are considering here!

So how do you find a mate?

Do you consider their glossy plumage?

Piercing cry?

Sharp claws?

Already having lots of females?

Yes it is males that we are considering here!

Sexual attraction Sexual attraction is essentially about passing your genes onto the next generation. To do this your mate should impress you with their ability to provide and defend. Darwin considered that males of a species were selected because they had an advantage over other males e.g. by fighting or by special displays and adornments. Do humans select their mates in the same way?

Sexual attraction is essentially about passing your genes onto the next generation. To do this your mate should impress you with their ability to provide and defend.

Darwin considered that males of a species were selected because they had an advantage over other males e.g. by fighting or by special displays and adornments.

Do humans select their mates in the same way?