The human body evolved over eons, slowly calibrating to the African savanna on which 98 percent of humankind lived and died. So, too, did the human brain. Evolutionary psychology is the study of the ways in which the mind was shaped by pressures to survive and reproduce. Findings in this field often shed light on "ultimate" as opposed to "proximal" causes of behavior. Romantic jealousy and mate gu
What Is Evolutionary Psychology? (Plain Language Explanation)
Evolutionary Psychology refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Evolutionary Psychology
- Symptoms: The specific ways evolutionary psychology shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen evolutionary psychology
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When evolutionary psychology occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Evolutionary Psychology
- Evolutionary Psychology is far more common than most people realize
- Evolutionary Psychology is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with evolutionary psychology see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about evolutionary psychology is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing evolutionary psychology, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.