2. MENTAL MODULES Mental modules are units of processing which developed in response to the pressures of selection. In other words: mental modules evolved in the same way that complex physical structures (such as the eye) evolved. So a mind is made of innate structures whose functions have developed in response to evolution. E.g. The theory that there is a language acquisition device structure in the brain (Chomsky). This structure is specialised for learning language, and fast – a module. Behavioural characteristics can be inherited just like physical ones. One example is the rank theory of depression: depression encourages the survival of the genes. It is in fact an adaptive response to being defeated, to losing status and rank; this allows you to accept a lower place in the hierarchy, and makes you seen as less of a challenge by a person of higher status so they won’t bother threatening you. It prevents further defeat of the loser that way – and would help stabilise a community. Aggression is found to increase when resources such as territory, mates and food are limited – but this can be subjective to the person and does not explain everything, as the men in Jackass do not appear to find that mates are limited but rather are competing to have more than others, possibly many, proving their masculine worth. Cognitive self instruction, stress inoculation training and general self control training helps with dealing in outlet of aggression.
