Evolution of Human Behavior

Recommended Prerequisites

Evolution. Evolutionary anthropology. Biological bases of behaviour.

Teaching Methods

Lectures and tutorial supervision. Students are due to perform and deliver several written woerks throughout the classes.

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. The evolution of altruism

5. The evolution of intelligence.

Head Lecturer(s)

Paulo Jorge Gama Mota

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Other: 20.0%
Exam: 80.0%

Bibliography

Cartwright, J. 2012. Evolution and Human Behaviour. Macmillan Press, Londres. 2^nd Ed.

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. 2011. Sense &  nonsense. Evolutionary perspectives on human behaviour. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2^nd Ed.

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