The Adapted Mind

Evolutionary Psychology and the Generation of Culture

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Earth Sciences, Palaeontology, Biological Sciences, Evolution, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
Cover of the book The Adapted Mind by , Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9780190282813
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: October 19, 1995
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9780190282813
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: October 19, 1995
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Although researchers have long been aware that the species-typical architecture of the human mind is the product of our evolutionary history, it has only been in the last three decades that advances in such fields as evolutionary biology, cognitive psychology, and paleoanthropology have made the fact of our evolution illuminating. Converging findings from a variety of disciplines are leading to the emergence of a fundamentally new view of the human mind, and with it a new framework for the behavioral and social sciences. First, with the advent of the cognitive revolution, human nature can finally be defined precisely as the set of universal, species-typical information-processing programs that operate beneath the surface of expressed cultural variability. Second, this collection of cognitive programs evolved in the Pleistocene to solve the adaptive problems regularly faced by our hunter-gatherer ancestors--problems such as mate selection, language acquisition, cooperation, and sexual infidelity. Consequently, the traditional view of the mind as a general-purpose computer, tabula rasa, or passive recipient of culture is being replaced by the view that the mind resembles an intricate network of functionally specialized computers, each of which imposes contentful structure on human mental organization and culture. The Adapted Mind explores this new approach--evolutionary psychology--and its implications for a new view of culture.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Although researchers have long been aware that the species-typical architecture of the human mind is the product of our evolutionary history, it has only been in the last three decades that advances in such fields as evolutionary biology, cognitive psychology, and paleoanthropology have made the fact of our evolution illuminating. Converging findings from a variety of disciplines are leading to the emergence of a fundamentally new view of the human mind, and with it a new framework for the behavioral and social sciences. First, with the advent of the cognitive revolution, human nature can finally be defined precisely as the set of universal, species-typical information-processing programs that operate beneath the surface of expressed cultural variability. Second, this collection of cognitive programs evolved in the Pleistocene to solve the adaptive problems regularly faced by our hunter-gatherer ancestors--problems such as mate selection, language acquisition, cooperation, and sexual infidelity. Consequently, the traditional view of the mind as a general-purpose computer, tabula rasa, or passive recipient of culture is being replaced by the view that the mind resembles an intricate network of functionally specialized computers, each of which imposes contentful structure on human mental organization and culture. The Adapted Mind explores this new approach--evolutionary psychology--and its implications for a new view of culture.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Integrative Neuroscience and Personalized Medicine by
Cover of the book Re-Creating the Corporation by
Cover of the book The Garden Party and Other Stories by
Cover of the book Digital Tradition by
Cover of the book From Battlefields Rising by
Cover of the book Neuropsychological Evaluation of the Child by
Cover of the book The Global Offensive by
Cover of the book Philosophy of Nonviolence by
Cover of the book Should Trees Have Standing? by
Cover of the book Dogen and Soto Zen by
Cover of the book The Good Lawyer by
Cover of the book Scientific Revolution: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by
Cover of the book Saving Lives by
Cover of the book Genius Unmasked by
Cover of the book Management of Clinical Depression and Anxiety by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy