# 10 Evolutionary Theory

 

Module #10

Lesson Title: Evolutionary Theory

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1.  rephrase the concept of evolutionary theory; and

        formulate an example of a scenario regarding the evolutionary theory.

EVOLUTIONARY THEORY

Evolutionary theory explains the existence of aggression and violent behavior as positive adaptive behaviors in human evolution; these traits allowed their bearers to reproduce disproportionately, which have had an effect on the human gene pool (Siegel et al, 2007). For example, if the child witnessed that his father beats her mother by the time his father is under the influence of alcohol; then the child will assume that it is good to beat somebody and when the time comes the child becomes a husband the same situation will be applied to his wife.

 

Cheater theory is one of the theories under the evolutionary that suggests that a subpopulation of men has evolved with genes that incline them toward extremely low parental involvement and that men are sexually aggressive who use their cunning to gain sexual conquests with as many females as possible. Because females would not choose them as mates, they use stealth to gain sexual access - cheating- including such tactics as mimicking the behavior of more stable males. Psychologist Byron Roth notes that these cheater-type males may be especially attractive to younger, less intelligent women who begin having children at a very early age. It explains male aggressiveness (Siegel et al, 2007).

 

R/K Selection theory is another theory under the evolutionary which holds that all organisms can be located along a continuum based upon their reproductive drives. Those along the “R” end reproduce  rapidly  whenever  they  can  and  invest  little  in  their  offspring;  those  along  the  “K” end reproduce slowly and cautiously and take care in raising their offspring. K-oriented people are more cooperative and sensitive to others, whereas R-oriented people are more cunning and deceptive. People who commit crimes seem to exhibit R-selection traits, such frequent sexual activity (Siegel, 2004)

Q1. Is the evolutionary theory the same with the theory of evolution by Charles Darwin?

 Answer: Evolutionary theory under this course talks about how the person commits crime based on the genes that he inherited and based on his exposure to such an environment while the theory of evolution by Charles Darwin talks about the development of the human gene pool that people derived from our primitive ancestors the apes.

Q2. Who are the usual cheaters and aggressive? Is it male or female?

Answer: Male if we based on the statement of “Psychologist Byron Roth notes that these cheater-type males may be especially attractive to younger, less intelligent women who begin having children at a very early age. It explains male aggressiveness.”