A theory dealing with the nature of existence, of being
Evolution
The gradual process by which species develop from earlier forms
Psychological characteristic
A particular aspect of human behaviour or thinking
Natural selection
The principle that the organisms which are best adapted to their environments will live to reproduce the most viable offspring.
Sexual selection
The process whereby physical and behavioural characteristics which promote reproductive success (and the genes which code for these) are passed on to descendants
Hominines
All members of the human group, including humans themselves and their fossil ancestors
Theory of mind
The ability to explain and predict the actions both of oneself and others; put oneself mentally in the place of another
Development trajectory
The path or route that infants and children are expected to follow in relation to developmental changes
Kin selection
Theory that people are more likely to help blood relatives in difficult situations because this increases the odds that their genes will be transmitted to subsequent generations. The closer the relation between the people, the greater the likelihood that help will be given.
Inclusive fitness
A measure of an individual’s genes passing on to future generations directly via offspring and indirectly via other relatives
Reciprocal altruism
Benefiting others who are not kin and where the altruist benefits directly (evolutionary psychology)
Indirect reciprocity
Behaviour that benefits others who are not kin and where the altruist does not benefit directly
Comparative approach
The study of different species of animal to establish general and specific features of behaviour
Behaviourism
A tradition advocating that psychology should be a science of behaviour, based on observable events
Artificial stimuli
Stimuli devised by the experimenter in order to have no intrinsic meaning
Ecological validity
The extent to which a study reflects naturally occurring or everyday situations
Natural categories
Categories that occur naturally and are not invented or devised by the experimenter
Nativism
The belief that knowledge is largely innate
Empiricism
A philosophical theory believing that knowledge should be based on evidence that is observerable i.e. received via the senses