
Human Evolutionary Psychology
Red Globe Press
Published on 28. November 2001
Book
Hardback
XIV, 438 pages
978-0-333-72557-3 (ISBN)
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Description
Other people and their behaviour are a subject of endless fascination for us. Our understanding of why we behave in certain ways can be greatly enhanced if we take an evolutionary perspective. Understanding the evolutionary pressures that have shaped human behaviour can give us a new insight into why we prefer a good gossip to a lengthy session of algebra, or why children are so good at learning language and so poor at sharing nicely with others.
Human Evolutionary Psychology offers a comprehensive overview of all aspects of human evolutionary behaviour and psychology. Tackling everything from mate choice to marriage patterns, childcare to cultural evolution, Human Evolutionary Psychology critically assesses the value of evolutionary explanations to humans in both modern western society and traditional pre-industrial societies. The combination of broad scope and in-depth analysis makes it the ideal introduction to this exciting and rapidly expanding area of research.
Human Evolutionary Psychology offers a comprehensive overview of all aspects of human evolutionary behaviour and psychology. Tackling everything from mate choice to marriage patterns, childcare to cultural evolution, Human Evolutionary Psychology critically assesses the value of evolutionary explanations to humans in both modern western society and traditional pre-industrial societies. The combination of broad scope and in-depth analysis makes it the ideal introduction to this exciting and rapidly expanding area of research.
Reviews / Votes
'This is more than a much needed comprehensive introductory text to the area. It is an antidote to the erroneous view that evolutionary approaches to human psychology and action is some monolithic view focussed solely upon the concept of adaptation and reproductive success. As this book shows, it is many things, including the study of the causal powers and origins of human culture. If this book has a single message, it is long live pluralism.' - Henry Plotkin, Professor of Psychobiology, University College London. 'A monumental work. Buy it for the bibliography list. Read it for the pleasure of seeing a powerful new field making the transition to maturity.' - Randolph Nesse, M.D., Director, Evolution and Human Adaptation Program, University of Michigan and coauthor (with George Williams) of Why We Get Sick 'This is an impressive review of the literature on the evolution of human behaviour, including human evolutionary ecology and psychology. It will be a useful teaching resource, and there is nothing quite like it currently available.' - Ruth Mace, University College London 'This well-written and balanced textbook presents the complexity of the debate over evolutionary psychology. A valuable addition to the teaching resources for the growing area of evolutionary psychology, it provides the foundational information that allows students to confront the primary source material.' - Steven Scher, Eastern Illinois UniversityMore details
Edition
2001
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
XIV, 438 p.
Dimensions
Height: 25.4 cm
Width: 20.3 cm
Weight
1418 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-333-72557-3 (9780333725573)
DOI
10.1007/978-1-137-23550-3
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Louise Barrett | Robin Dunbar | John Lycett
Human Evolutionary Psychology
E-Book
11/2001
1st Edition
Red Globe Press
€119.99
Available for download

Louise Barrett | Robin Dunbar | John Lycett
Human Evolutionary Psychology
Book
11/2001
Bloomsbury Academic
€60.00
Shipment within 15-20 days
Persons
ROBIN DUNBAR is Professor of Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Liverpool (previously Professor of Biological Anthropology at University College, London). He is the author of 9 books and 103 articles for, among others, Nature and New Scientist.
LOUISE BARRETT is Lecturer in Evolutionary Psychology and Behavioural Ecology at the University of Liverpool. Her research interests lie in the evolution of cognition and the socioecology of human and non-human primates and she is co-director of the De Hoop Baboon Project in South Africa.
JOHN LYCETT is Lecturer in Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Liverpool. His current research interests are in human reproductive decision making and parental investment decisions.
LOUISE BARRETT is Lecturer in Evolutionary Psychology and Behavioural Ecology at the University of Liverpool. Her research interests lie in the evolution of cognition and the socioecology of human and non-human primates and she is co-director of the De Hoop Baboon Project in South Africa.
JOHN LYCETT is Lecturer in Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Liverpool. His current research interests are in human reproductive decision making and parental investment decisions.
Content
Preface.- The Evolutionary Approach to Human Behaviour.- Basics of Evolutionary Theory.- Cooperation Among Kin.- Reciprocity and Sharing.- Mate Choice.- Life History Constraints and Reproductive Decisions.- Parental Investment Strategies.- Marriage and Inheritance .- The Individual in Society.- Cognition and the Modular Brain.- Social Cognition and its Development.- Language.- Cultural Evolution.- References.