Chapter Summary
Evolutionary psychology explores the implication of Darwinian and neo-Darwinian theory for explaining
the behavior of organisms. This chapter reviews evolutionary theory as it relates to the learning
process and highlights the work of Robert Bolles.
Darwin’s theory of natural selection serves as the foundation for evolutionary theory. The key features
of natural selection are summarized and include natural variability, heritable variability, and
adaptation. Misconceptions of adaptations are discussed. The concept of inclusive fitness, as proposed
by Hamilton, expands on Darwin’s definition of fitness and serves as a basic postulate for neoDarwinian theory.
A main proponent of evolutionary theory, Bolles was highly influential in relating the evolutionary
process to learning theory. His niche argument stressed that an understanding of learning must be
accompanied by an understanding of the evolutionary history of the organism and depended upon
innate predispositions and expectancies.
Bolles’ work is also compared to the predominant behavioristic assumptions of the era such as
instrumental conditioning, operant conditioning, and classical conditioning. In each case, Bolles is able
to relate outcomes to distinctly Darwinian influences.
The chapter also reviews the application of evolutionary theory to the understanding of human
behavior. However, the discussion is limited to the topics of phobias, mate selection, violence,
parenting, moral behavior, and language development. The research shows that in many ways, the
principles guiding evolutionary theory in the study of nonhuman behavior by Bolles apply to the study
of human behavior.
The implications of evolutionary theory on education apply to the development of curricula much more
than it applies to actual teaching techniques. Taking into account the natural predispositions of
children can aid in the development of curricula. Evolutionary psychology can also shed light on the
causes of problem behavior and why they may be persistent.
A primary contribution of Bolles’ theory was that he stressed that behavior must always be put on
context of its function and that many new research questions have arisen as a result of his work.