Evolutionary psychology: advanced topics   

Recommended Prerequisites

Darwin's Theory of Evolution (basic knowledge); Biology and Genetics (basic knowledge). It is advisable for students to have previously taken the course of Evolutionary Psychology.

Teaching Methods

Lectures: expository method supported by handouts (“Power Point” slides, available as PDF documents); interrogative methods; oral or written reflection based on the presentation of audio-visual materials.

Learning Outcomes

Introduction to Evolutionary Psychology as a currently emerging important theoretical framework of reference, which aims a horizontal and vertical standpoint of conceptual integration within Psychology. Promote research and critical reflection on scientific psychology, according to evolutionary paradigm conceptual framework.
Learning Outcomes
– Theoretical knowledge of Evolutionary Psychology basic concepts and general assumptions.
– Theoretical knowledge of Evolutionary Psychology main subjects, concerning human development and applied reasearch.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I. Introduction: brief historical and epistemological notes; General assumptions; Basic concepts.

II. General topics: applications of evolutionary psychology to the different branches of psychology (developmental, educational, forensics, health and social psychology).

III. Advanced topics: Adaptation and crime (antisocial behavior, criminal behavior, violent and sex crimes); Darwinian foundations of moral judgment (cooperation, altruism, and reciprocity); Abnornal psychology (possible evolutionary causes of behavioral disorders).

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Revistas científicas/Journals

Evolutionary Psychology;Evolution and Human Behavior

Obras de referência/Books

Barkow, J.;Cosmides, L. & Tooby, J.,Eds.(1995)The adapted mind: evolutionary psychology and the generation of culture.Oxford:OUP

Buss, D.(2004).Evolutionary psychology: the new science of mind. Boston:Pearson

Crawford, C. & Krebs, D.,Eds.(2008).Foundations of evolutionary psychology. NY:Lawrence Erlbaum

Dunbar, R. & Barrett, L.,Eds.(2007).The Oxford handbook of evolutionary psychology. Oxford:OUP

Krebs, D. (2011).The origins of morality. NY:OUP

Laland, K.(2013).Sense and nonsense:evolutionary perspectives on human behavior. Oxford:OUP

Duntley, J. & Shackelford, T., Eds(2008).Evolutionary forensic psychology. Darwinian foundations of crime and law. Oxford:OUP

Ray, W.(2013).Evolutionary psychology:neuroscience perspectives concerning human behavior and experience.Los Angeles:AGE