Evolution of Human Behavior

Recommended Prerequisites

Biology of  Behaviour and Evolutionary Anthropology. Basic knowledge on evolution and evolution of behaviour.

Teaching Methods

Lectures and practical classes. Essays produced in group taking themes proposed by the lecturer in the classes and developed by the students outside classes. Oral presentation of the final works.

Learning Outcomes

This unit seeks to provide students with knowledge on the principles of evolution of human behaviour, going into more depth in some topics such as sexual selection, evolution of language and cooperation. The methods for research in the evolution of behaviour are also approached.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction

1.1. The biological bases of behaviour.

1.2. The evolution of behaviour.

1.3. The evolution of human behaviour

 

2. The biological study of behaviour

 

3. Sex and reproduction

3.1. Sexual competition  and breeding systems

3.2. Mate choice

 

4. Intra-family conflict

 

5. The evolution of altruism

 

6. The evolution of intelligence and language

Head Lecturer(s)

Paulo Jorge Gama Mota

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 25.0%
Exam: 75.0%

Bibliography

Cartwright, J. 2000. Evolution and Human Behaviour. Macmillan Press, Londres.

Barret, L., Dunbar, R. & Lycett, J., 2002. Human Evolutionary Psychology. Palgrave, Hampshire & New York.

Dunbar, RIM. 2006. A História do Homem: Uma nova história da evolução da humanidade. Quetzal Editores, Lisboa.

Laland, K. & Brown, G. 2002. Sense  nonsense. Evolutionary perspectives on human behaviour. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Workman, L & Reader, W., 2008. Evolutionary psychology. An introduction. Cambridge U.P., Cambridge.