Psyc 101essay Promptsmodule Week 2essay 1 Evolutionary Psychologye ✓ Solved
PSYC 101 Essay Prompts Module/ Week 2: Essay 1 – Evolutionary Psychology Evolutionary psychology has had a significant influence on the discipline of psychology but some take issue with its foundational assumptions. · Describe your worldview. Some of the contructs from the BWVI are relevant and may help you think through your worldview. · Is evolutionary psychology compatible with your worldview. · What are the strengths and weaknesses of evolutionary psychology Module/ Week 3: Essay 2 – That’s Your Perception The systems responsible for sensation are remarkably similar from one person to another, but each person experiences sensory input in a unique way. Perception of the same event is likely to be different for different people.
For example, water that is too hot for one person may be just right for another. The volume of sound at a concert may be painfully loud for one person but enjoyable for another. · What are the factors that create these differences in perceptions from person to person? · Do these differences in perception indicate differences in reality? · Can we be confident that or perceptions reflect reality? Essay 3 (Module/ Week 4): Topic: You be the Professor One of the most important skills for students to master is how to study! Using information from the Learning, Memory and Intellegence chapter in your textbook, discuss the following: · If you were to lead a Freshman Seminar for incoming students, what study strategies would you recommend and why?
Apply what you have read about learning in this weeks chapter using citations from the textbook. · What cautions woud you give students about muiltitacking? Use the concepts from the text to answer these questions. Essay 4 (Module/ Week 5): Topic: Motivation, Values and Purpose What gets you out of bed in the morning? Why are you enrolled in this course? In this weeks reading with looked at numerous factors that can influence motivation.
Discuss the following: · Based on the information from this weeks reading what do you think the difference is between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. The discussion on intrinsic and extrinsic reinforcement from chapter 4 may help you thing through these concepts. · Then look at the venn diagram in chapter one (FIGURE 1.1 Intersecting Areas that Comprise Purpose) and describe how values and purpose might inform one's experience with motivation. · In addition to the information in our textbook discuss what motivates you in your educational pursuits. How do your values and purpose impact your experience? Essay 5 (Module/ Week 6): Topic: Put that Phone Down! Electronic devices have saturated our society, becoming a distraction that hinders our connections with others.
For this assignment, imagine that you are a developmental expert asked to help individuals connect meaningfully with someone in a particular stage of life. Outline a response by writing an essay that includes these points: 1. Choose a life stage (for example: infancy, adolescence, older adulthood, etc.). 2. Using information from our textbook describe the primary need or needs of individuals in that stage of life.
3. Suggest at least 3 activities that would facilitate a meaningful connection based on the need(s) you have described. 4. Try out at least one activity and tell about your experience. Essay 6 (Module/ Week 7): Topic: Worldview and Psychology You will use the email and password you created to retake the Biblical Worldview Indicator (BWIV).
Take the assessment (should take about 10 minutes) and download your scores. Answer the following questions: · Where you BWVI results different from your original scores in week 1? Did the results of the BWVI match your expectations for your own worldview? If so, how? If not, how? · How do the 6 constructs of the BWVI impact the way in which the field of psychology is studied? (For example, how does the way in which we see the origins (cosmology) of the world impact the way we approach humanity and way in which we approach psychology?). · A few sentences for each construct is sufficient.
Paper for above instructions
Evolutionary Psychology: Foundations, Compatibility with My Worldview, and Critical Evaluation
Evolutionary psychology has emerged as a significant approach within the broader field of psychology, seeking to understand human behavior through the lens of evolution by examining how our cognitive processes and emotional responses may have evolved over millions of years (Buss, 2019). This essay aims to describe my worldview while evaluating whether evolutionary psychology is compatible with it. Additionally, I will identify some strengths and weaknesses of evolutionary psychology, providing a balanced critical analysis of its contributions to psychology.
My Worldview
My worldview is shaped by a combination of rationalism, humanism, and a scientific perspective. I tend to view life and human behavior through a lens that emphasizes logic, reason, and empirical evidence. I believe that human beings possess intrinsic value and must therefore be treated with dignity and respect. This belief in human dignity informs my understanding of interpersonal relationships and conflicts, as I assert that every individual has unique perspectives shaped by their environment and personal experiences. Furthermore, I appreciate cultural diversity and recognize that varied backgrounds influence one’s choices and actions, promoting the notion that humans have the capability to change and grow.
Compatibility with Evolutionary Psychology
Evolutionary psychology proposes that many of our psychological traits and behaviors are adaptations that have evolved to solve problems faced by our ancestors (Buss, 2019). For example, emotions such as fear or love may serve evolutionary purposes that enhance reproductive success (Tooby & Cosmides, 1992). This perspective resonates with my worldview in several respects, particularly the idea that understanding human behavior through evolution can shed light on the motivations behind our actions.
However, I also recognize that evolutionary psychology may falter when explaining the complexities of human behavior. For instance, it frequently reduces behaviors to mere survival and reproductive strategies, potentially overlooking the nuanced influences of culture, environment, and individual agency (Henrich et al., 2001). Thus, while I appreciate the evolutionary perspective's biological impulses behind some behaviors, I argue that it is essential to incorporate social constructivist perspectives that acknowledge culture, identity, and personal experiences in understanding the human psyche.
Strengths of Evolutionary Psychology
One of the primary strengths of evolutionary psychology is its empirical foundation that seeks to understand the origins of human behavior in a scientific manner. It employs methods from a variety of disciplines including neuroscience, anthropology, and behavioral genetics, enabling a multifaceted understanding of personal and social behavior (Buss, 2019).
Evolutionary psychology also provides explanatory power regarding certain gender differences in behavior, such as mate selection, which can be understood through frameworks of sexual selection (Buss, 1989). Such insights can contribute to discussions about gender roles and relationships, offering a foundation for understanding interpersonal dynamics that can help inform therapies aimed at addressing relationship issues.
Additionally, evolutionary psychology offers a theoretical framework that helps connect various psychological phenomena, including emotions, motivation, and cognition. By linking these areas to our evolutionary past, researchers can form hypotheses regarding human behavior that spur further scientific investigation, contributing to the advancement of psychology as a scientific discipline.
Weaknesses of Evolutionary Psychology
Conversely, a notable weakness of evolutionary psychology is the critique of its potentially deterministic approach. Critics argue that it often overemphasizes biological imperatives at the expense of environmental, social, and psychological factors (Pinker, 2002). This narrow focus may misrepresent the complexities of human existence by suggesting that behavior is primarily driven by inherited instincts rather than learned experiences and social influences.
Furthermore, evolutionary psychology can suffer from reconstructive biases, where theorists postulate "just-so stories" that rationalize behaviors based on speculative evolutionary origins without empirical validation (Gould & Lewontin, 1979). This can lead to a lack of scientific rigor and the propagation of unfounded assumptions, undermining the credibility of the field.
Another limitation is that evolutionary psychology may perpetuate social stereotypes and reinforce problematic societal norms by attributing certain behaviors to innate biological differences, especially regarding gender or race (Fausto-Sterling, 2000). This can deepen divides and hinder progress toward social equality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, evolutionary psychology has significantly influenced psychology, providing valuable insights into the origins of human behavior. While elements of evolutionary psychology resonate with my worldview, there remains a need to balance evolutionary explanations with cultural, social, and environmental considerations. By acknowledging both the strengths and weaknesses of evolutionary psychology, we can foster a more comprehensive understanding of human behavior that incorporates multiple perspectives and enhances the therapeutic practices we employ to assist individuals in navigating the complex landscape of their lives.
References
1. Buss, D. M. (1989). Sex differences in human mate selection: Evidence from the social psychological and evolutionary psychological perspectives. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56(1), 3-16.
2. Buss, D. M. (2019). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind. New York: Psychology Press.
3. Fausto-Sterling, A. (2000). Sexing the body: Gender politics and the construction of sexuality. Basic Books.
4. Gould, S. J., & Lewontin, R. C. (1979). The spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian paradigm: A critique of the adaptationist program. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 76(5), 2818-2822.
5. Henrich, J., Heine, S. J., & Norenzayan, A. (2001). The weirdest people in the world? Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 33(2-3), 61-83.
6. Pinker, S. (2002). The blank slate: The modern denial of human nature. New York: Viking Press.
7. Tooby, J., & Cosmides, L. (1992). The adaptationist module. In The adapted mind: Evolutionary psychology and the generation of culture (pp. 19-136). Oxford University Press.