PSYC1092 Darwin's Theory and Psychology

This essay explores the significant influence of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution on the field of psychology. It discusses how natural selection and sexual selection have shaped human behavior and cognitive processes. The essay delves into evolutionary psychology, clinical psychology, and the study of individual differences, highlighting how Darwin's ideas have led to a deeper understanding of human nature. It also examines the impact of evolutionary theory on various aspects of psychology, including the biological underpinnings of behavior, the development of intelligence tests, and the understanding of human emotions. The essay further discusses the implications of evolutionary theory on social systems and ethical considerations, as well as the ongoing debate about free will versus biological determinism. The essay concludes by emphasizing the lasting impact of Darwin's work on the theory and practice of psychology.

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Effects Of Darwin's Theory Of Evolution On Development Of Psychology
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Effects Of Darwin's Theory Of Evolution On Development Of Psychology
Darwin’s theory of biological evolution was developed in 1809-1882 by Charles Darwin and
others. As per the theory, organisms arise and develop through the process of natural
selection. There are small, inherited variations that allow competition for survival. Charles
Darwin introduced the term natural selection in the process of evolution. Natural selection
allows to minor genetic advancements. For example, if the member of the species develops
gills as well as lungs then the advantages will be passed on to the offspring. In the case of any
crises, the weak inferior member of the species dies faster than stranger ones. (Crawford, C.,
& Krebs, D. L. (Eds.). (2013).
Through natural selection, the functional advantages are preserved and passed on to the next
generation. This allows the species to compete better. There has been a dramatic change in
physical qualities of animals by domestic breeding. Breeders have eliminated the undesirable
quality keeping the desired ones through natural selection. The natural selection acts slowly.
It can never take a sudden leap. Every time a slight variation will be shown in the new
generation. But eventually, Darwin proved that complex organism’s exit which could not
have been possible with continuous advancement with every new generation. (Crain, W.
(2015). The advanced traits will allow the organism to adapt better to the changing
environment and produce offspring.
Evolution by natural selection is one of the best theories in the history of science. The
Darwin’s theory has been supported by scientists, palaeontology, geology and genetics.
The Darwin’s theory has two main points firstly all the human beings on the earth are
connected and related to each other and this diversity is due to modification by natural
selection. Darwin’s theory is best known as ‘ survival of the fittest’

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Evolutionary psychology is not any different branch of psychology . It is based on series of
logical and confirmed events. By this, we understand that evolution is not focussed on the
body but also on the development of the brain. The psychological mechanism of the brain
performs and the behaviour which is produced by it. Many of those advancements are
psychological which are designed to solve problems that have contributed to our survival and
reproduction. The modern environment is different from our ancestral environment, provide
adaptation of better psychological function is a necessity, not an option.( Stevens, A., &
Price, J. (2016).
Darwin gave two key theories that have guided the modern psychological research . Those
are natural selection and sexual selection. These theories have great values , it guides the
psychologist to understand the adaptive linked problems with survival. In the past decade,
evolution psychology has sub-discipline within psychology. Evolutionary psychology has
given us a huge range of discoveries which includes the adaptations for the dark side of
society. Evolutionary development psychological ways in critical events such as fathers
absence versus father’s presence. (Gilbert, P., & Bailey, K. G. (2014).
The evolutionary clinical psychology provides a definition for psychological disorder. It
happens when an evolved mechanism fails to function the way it is designed to function. It
also shows light on common afflicts such as depression, anxiety and sexual disorders. It
provides a framework for examining how ancestral and modern and modern environment can
create different physiological disorder. Cognitive and social neurologist use modern
techniques such as MRI to test the hypothesis about social exclusions and adaptations.
The evolution psychology breaks down the barrier between traditional sub-disciplines of
psychology. A proper description of psychology must include identifying input and cognitive

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processing. All the adaptations can malfunction when social anxiety becomes too much
paralysing .
In his theory, Darwin wrote that humans and animals descend from the same ancestors.
Darwin stated in his theory that humans and animals have lot common traits in the fields of
psychology. (Goulet, L. R., & Baltes, P. B. (Eds.). (2013). Scientists have studied animals for
thousands of years and made inferences about humans from those animals but Darwin’s
theory allowed the researchers making inferences about human behaviour such as learning,
memory and emotion by observation and experimentation on animals.
Darwin’s research also led to research in the psychology of individual differences. Before his
theories, researchers were trying to understand humans by looking at similarities between
people. After Darwin’s theory scientists focused on individual differences rather than the
similarities. All this lead to the development of first ever modern intelligence test. In the area
of intelligence, many researchers focus on the area of difference . Some psychologist uses it
as a parameter to determine what makes one individual more successful than other. This is
based on Darwin’s idea of natural selection were the strongest and the most intelligent
species which can adapt more quickly to survive. (Haraway, D. (2013).
Darwin’s theory also has a general impact on psychology. Most of the psychology today have
strong biological underpinnings. This traces back to Darwin. A psychologist explains the
psychological concept in light of biology. Even though Darwin is not a psychologist still his
theories have a huge impact on psychology.
The modern behaviour has been explained by using the scientific theory of evolution. It
suggests how differently human characteristics have evolved. At the centre of this theory,
there is an idea that human brain has evolved through evolution that has allowed a human to
adapt and survive. As the need aroused a segment of the brain responded to it. These areas

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are particularly brain stem , cerebellum , cerebral cortex and the left hemisphere of the brain.
The evolution theory suggests that human is also an animal which tries to spread its best
possible gene to the offspring. They have different areas of application for males and females.
Men are supposedly blindly impermanent women as many as possible. (Johnson, D. D.,
Price, M. E., & Van Vugt, M. (2013). The women have to take care of the child once it is
produced, therefore they seek help from men who are committed to helping them raising the
child in the best possible way. Men do not get up next morning worrying about a baby inside
them but women do suffer the consequences of careless mating. Hence as the developmental
advancement and as per the biological needs of women. Women tend to choose a partner
who is more committed and helps them taking care of the child.
In an attempt to study this theory and its effects on psychology, I would not just study an
individual but a society has the whole. As critically analysing I have to study the
consequences of believing or not believing the theory of evolution. How can the theory
explain what are we and what we do? What is going inside our brains? How does evolution
will explain how someone massacres pointlessly innocent people and maybe themselves? The
goal of today’s society is to live a life which is best for them and teaching their kids to think
for themselves and what is best for them. They are taught to be superior in whatever they do,
The children race for being the strongest, the smartest and the most popular in class. All of
this favour advancement of their gene and is supported by the evolutionary theory. What
kind of psychological effect does it have? Sooner or later people realise that they can’t be
best at all the things and then age steals their evolutionary advancement. The only way one
can gain the evolutionary value by being better that the people around you. (Workman, L., &
Reader, W. (2014)
We are not biologically controlled . This theory also suggests the same. We all have choices
in life. I chose to write this paper . I could have shut it down and gone to sleep. But I was not

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driven by biological needs. This thought fits nicely what humanistic psychologist has to say .
This is the school of thought where I think they are right. I also believe that this thought is the
downfall of the beliefs that our Nations are products of millions of year of evolutionary
thought and we are biologically driven with no free will. The psychological effect is this that
the students are allowed to seek the meaning of life . what is more important for them? What
are the purpose of life and the meaning? What’s the purpose of living if life has no meaning
for you? As the evolution of mind and behaviour theory humans are being pushed and forced
to rise above all the other species and become and most dominant species. (Baltes, P. B., &
Schaie, K. W. (Eds.). (2013).
The core idea of evolution psychology is that human psychology is the product of evolution .
The theory of evolution has an influence on all the disciplines in the humanities and social
science. The process has not been smooth all the time. Earlier the theory of evolution has
been mechanically applied to humanities and social science from which ridiculous conclusion
has been drawn.
The theory of evolution by natural selection has been adopted as a foundation for various
ethical and social systems, such as Social Darwinism . Darwin considered sympathy as one of
the most important social virtues . It was a product of natural selection and the trait which is
beneficial to human . Darwin further stated that most sympathetic societies were the most
successful ones. (Slee, P. T., & Shute, R. (2014). He also stated that sympathy to be
extended to all the beings. As the advancements in the civilisation, the small tribes becomes
large communities. The simple reason is individual extend his social instincts and has
sympathy towards same nation members. Though they are personally unaware of him.
The mainstream evolutionary psychology can be viewed as a more theoretical framework
derived from the larger field of evolutionary psychology. It helps us understand the mind,

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behaviour and psychological adaptations rather that adaptive behaviour. Evolutionary
psychologist While we acknowledging the role of environment in shaping the behaviour and
making the claims that are effective. Additionally, evolutionary developmental psychologies
base their research on psychological development and the behaviours across the life span.
Darwin’s theory advocate that all the species on earth change over time . This process is
governed by natural selection. As per this principle struggle for existence for some
individuals because of their biological adaptation. They are better able to occupy the niche,
therefore, the offspring produced by them will be better than another individual. Within few
years scientist was convinced with the theory. In Darwin’s books, he has explored how
human mental qualities can be understood by evolution. In supporting the controversial
position that human is descants of animals ancestors. In the view of this idea, he argues that
human and animals have the same pattern of behaviour. They pattern is fundamentally
similar. he can identify the presence of human qualities like courage, devotion to animals
also. After studying these the another common mental function is a memory, attention and
dreaming. (Urban, J. B., Hargraves, M., & Trochim, W. M. (2014)
Darwin stated that human emotional expression has evolved over time because they have
adapted reaction for their survival. For example, an animal baring teeth in rage is literally
preparing for a fight. Thus this emotion gives a physical advantage. Also, Darwin postulated
that the fight and flight mechanism has aided the survival of humans .
Darwin’s work has far-reaching influences on the theory and practice of psychology. The
individual adaptation to the environment helped establish the functional view of mind and
human behaviour . Paralleling Science with anatomy this field provides insides of human
beings by studying the similarities and differences between animal and human psychology.
(Shtulman, A., & Calabi, P. (2013). Darwin principle of natural selection has clearly stated

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how there is similarity between human and animal behaviour. How the adaptation of
behaviour had given a human a clear advantage of survival. There are many behavioural
patterns which human beings adapt to become better among themselves. This has led to the
passage of the best possible genes to the offspring. Darwin’s principle of natural selection led
to great interest in the individual difference among members of same species.

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References
Crawford, C., & Krebs, D. L. (Eds.). (2013). Handbook of evolutionary psychology: Ideas,
issues, and applications. Psychology Press.
Crain, W. (2015). Theories of development: Concepts and applications. Psychology Press.
Stevens, A., & Price, J. (2016). Evolutionary psychiatry: A new beginning. Routledge.
Gilbert, P., & Bailey, K. G. (2014). Genes on the couch: Explorations in evolutionary
psychotherapy. Routledge.
Goulet, L. R., & Baltes, P. B. (Eds.). (2013). Life-span developmental psychology: Research
and theory. Academic Press.
Haraway, D. (2013). Simians, cyborgs, and women: The reinvention of nature. Routledge.
Johnson, D. D., Price, M. E., & Van Vugt, M. (2013). Darwin's invisible hand: Market
competition, evolution and the firm. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 90,
S128-S140.
Workman, L., & Reader, W. (2014). Evolutionary psychology. Cambridge University Press.
Baltes, P. B., & Schaie, K. W. (Eds.). (2013). Life-span developmental psychology:
Personality and socialization. Elsevier.
Slee, P. T., & Shute, R. (2014). Child Development: Thinking About Theories Texts in
Developmental Psychology. Routledge.
Urban, J. B., Hargraves, M., & Trochim, W. M. (2014). Evolutionary evaluation:
Implications for evaluators, researchers, practitioners, funders and the evidence-based
program mandate. Evaluation and program planning, 45, 127-139.

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Shtulman, A., & Calabi, P. (2013). Tuition vs. intuition: Effects of instruction on naive
theories of evolution. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 59(2), 141-167.