PSYC 373 Evolutionary Psychology

General

• Students will be required to demonstrate critical thinking skills necessary to understand basic principles and processes of evolutionary theory;
• Students will learn the genetic basis of evolution and how variability plays a critical role in evolutionary theory;
• Students will learn the basic principles of natural and sex selection;
• Students will learn the basic principles of reproductive fitness, sexual attraction and the psychology of social interaction;
• Students will understand how principles of cooperation and prosocial behaviors co-existed and evolved with aggression conflict;
• Students will describe how the psychological concepts relative to interdependency and superordinate goals have contributed to community development and influences social interaction;
• Students will learn the role of facial and emotional expressions as key mechanisms influencing group interaction;
• Students will learn how complex emotions and behaviors (i.e., guilt, forgiveness and empathy) have influenced and contributed to group interaction.