Evolution and Human Behavior: Darwinian Perspectives on Human Nature

Evolutionary psychology occupies an important place in the drive to
understand and explain human behavior. Darwinian ideas provide powerful tools to
illuminate how fundamental aspects of the way humans think, feel, and interact
derive from reproductive interests and an ultimate need for survival. In this
updated and expanded edition of Evolution and Human Behavior, John Cartwright
considers the emergence of Homo sapiens as a species and looks at contemporary
issues, such as familial relationships and conflict and cooperation, in light of key
theoretical principles. The book covers basic concepts including natural and sexual
selection, life history theory, and the fundamentals of genetics. New material will
be found in chapters on emotion, culture, incest avoidance, ethics, and cognition
and reasoning. Two new chapters are devoted to the evolutionary analysis of mental
disorders. Students of psychology, human biology, and physical and cultural
anthropology will find Evolution and Human Behavior a comprehensive textbook of
great value.