Class Interaction Project #2

Evolutionary Psychology 

While you're probably familiar with Charles Darwin's general theory of evolution of species, you may be less familiar with the relatively new branch of psychology known as evolutionary psychology.  Evolutionary psychology "examines behavioral processes in terms of their adaptive value for members of a species over the course of many generations" (Weiten, p. 14).  As such, evolutionary psychologists believe that behavior, and more specifically the minds of various species evolve as physical characteristics may evolve...in a way that favors the 'fittest,' hence the phrase 'survival of the fittest.'  So the idea that follows is that through the process of 'natural selection,' nature favors behaviors,  or in this case certain cognitive processes, that increase the chances of successful reproduction and therefore pass on genes.  

Evolutionary psychologists believe that the intelligence, memory processes, emotions, motivations and personality traits of humans evolve and are affected by changes in technology, scientific knowledge,  education, world events, and social structures.  Think about what life would have been like even as recently as 100 years ago.  No cars, TV, computers, nor commercial air travel.  Few paved roads and only a primitive interstate highway system.  Limited healthcare and options for formal education, especially college.  Limited access to music, the arts, and pop culture.  In what ways were those people of 1900 fundamentally different as humans?  In what ways did their minds work differently than persons living today?  How did the difference in social structures then affect their mental processing and understanding of the world?  Since 1900, given all the changes in our world, in what ways have we as humans changed how we think about and process information in adapting to our worlds?  These are questions that would interest an evolutionary psychologist.  

Instructions: 

Step 1:

Consider the following main discussion questions:

Future Focus:
Speculate on how our world will be 100 years from now.  In what ways will the minds (and subsequently the behavior) of humans be different as a result of these changes?

Past Focus:
Describe a way in which our world has changed in the past 100 years.  In what ways do you believe the minds (and subsequently the behavior) of humans are different now as a result of these changes?

Write a nicely developed, one paragraph essay in which you explain your speculation on how the human mind has or will evolve in the future.  

Step 2:

Post your position statement in the specified 'Discussions' message board within Blackboard.  To post your statement and interact with the class, access the Blackboard site for this class, click the 'Discussions' tab on the left navigation bar, and then select CI-2.

Post your position statement preferably no later than Tuesday of the week in which the discussion takes place.  But if you haven't posted your message by Tuesday, don't panic.  It's not too late.  Just be sure to post your essay as soon as possible.   

Step 3:

Check the bulletin board, read what your classmates have written and be sure to reply and comment on at least THREE other posted statements. You are encouraged to respond and defend your position by addressing challenges to your position on the issue you addressed in your position statement.  

IMPORTANT POINT: 
When posting your rebuttal to another students belief, DO NOT resort to personal attacks or insults in attempting to discredit another student's belief.  The tone of the debate should be friendly, logical and scholarly, NOT personal and emotional.  Keep in mind that these are philosophical issues and that there is not an ultimate right or wrong position to take.

Activity Summary:

Step 4:

A written activity summary is required before credit for this activity is recorded.  After completing the first three steps, answer the following questions.  Send your answers to the discussion questions through the assignment submission box within the Blackboard/Ce6 platform.  To access the assignment submission box, login to Cougarweb, click the link to this course, select the 'assignments' tab on the left, then click the link to 'CI-2: Mind-Body / Evolutionary Psychology Discussion." 

 Friendly tips: 

• The primary reason a student would receive a 'fail' on this write-up project is insufficient depth of discussion in answering the questions below.  One or two sentences for each question is not sufficient.  To ensure credit is awarded, answer each question with at least a brief paragraph, if not more.
• Please do not submit the summary before Saturday of the week in which the discussion takes place.  If you submit the summary too early, you will have missed the majority of the online debate and discussion, and therefore will not have a complete understanding of the arguments posted as the debate continues.

Please submit your answers to the discussion questions by midnight by the deadline specified within the Blackboard/CE6 course calendar.

1. State the discussion topic in which you participated (Evolutionary Psychology or Mind / Body Problem Debate)
   
2. Summarize your ideas, arguments and speculations regarding how the minds (and behavior) of humans have evolved (or will evolve in the future).  If you wish, you may simply cut and paste your original posted paragraph here.
   
   
3. In your discussion group, were there common themes in the speculations of the participants?  If so, describe them.  If not, briefly list a variety of issues addressed by the participants.  
   
   
4. Summarize an idea posted by another student that (1) differed from your own view (on any issue related to evolutionary psychology), and (2)  you found to be particularly persuasive and well stated.  Did this persuasive statement ultimately change your mind on the issue?
   
   
5. Note and explain the two most significant things you learned from completing this activity.
   
   
6. Any other comments or observations?

Copyright 2006 Collin County Community College District and Dan Lipscomb 
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