Applying evolutionary psychology

Abstract

The chapter highlights the growing influence of evolutionary perspectives on psychology and social studies in general. It distinguishes the approaches of mainstream and evolutionary psychology based on proximate and ultimate levels of explanation for human behaviour. It is argued that ultimate (or functional) perspectives on behaviour contribute unique and important insights into human behaviour that are missed by standard social science approaches. Similarly to how the new discipline of evolutionary medicine is providing new ways of looking at health and disease, an applied evolutionary psychology may become increasingly influential in the development of more comprehensive understanding of human behaviour and contemporary issues.