Evolution and genetics for psychology.

Citation

Conron, M. G. (2011). Evolution and genetics for psychology. [Review of the book Evolution and Genetics for Psychology. D. Nettle]. Journal of Social, Evolutionary, and Cultural Psychology, 5(4), 296-297.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0099254

Abstract

Reviews the book, Evolution and Genetics for Psychology by Daniel Nettle (2009). In Evolution and Genetics for Psychology Nettle attempts to clarify the process of evolution and the mechanisms of natural selection. Nettle gives new life to a familiar subject in a second way, by discussing the influence that our current environment has on behaviors acquired in the Environment of Evolutionary Adaptiveness. Evolution and Genetics for Psychology is an excellent introduction to the field of Evolutionary Psychology. The subject matter covered in the text is not groundbreaking; rather, the text is innovative in the way that the material is presented. Nettle devotes nearly half of the text to the clarification of the processes of natural selection. Nettle begins with a discussion of genetics and heredity and moves on to a discussion of sexual selection then finally onto a discussion of human behavior in our current environment. The text could be used in an Evolutionary Psychology or introductory biology course. It offers a comprehensive overview of heredity, genetics and natural selection. The author manages to be thorough while still explaining every topic as simply and clearly as possible. It is apparent even in the first chapters that this text was written for both students and detractors of Evolutionary Psychology. Nettle asserts that detractors misunderstand what Evolutionary Psychology is and is not and what this field of psychology tries to accomplish. The text is more than just useful, it is essential; before students can offer an evolutionary explanation for any human characteristic or behavior they must first have an understanding of processes of natural selection. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Unique Identifier

2012-24854-009

Title

Evolution and genetics for psychology.

Publication Date

Dec 2011

Publication History

Accepted: Nov 20, 2011

First Submitted: Nov 7, 2011

Language

English

Author Identifier

Conron, Michelle G.

Email

Conron, Michelle G.: michelleg.conron@gmail.com

Correspondence Address

Conron, Michelle G.: michelleg.conron@gmail.com

Affiliation

Conron, Michelle G.: Department of Psychology, St. Mary’s University, TX, US

Source

Journal of Social, Evolutionary, and Cultural Psychology, Vol 5(4), Dec 2011, 296-297.

NLM Title Abbreviation

J Soc Evol Cult Psychol

ISSN

1933-5377(Electronic)

ISBN

978-0-19-923151-5

Other Serial Titles

Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences

Publisher

US: NorthEastern Evolutionary Psychology Society

Other Publishers

US: Educational Publishing Foundation

Format Covered

Electronic

Publication Type

Journal; Peer Reviewed Journal

Document Type

Review-Book

Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0099254

Keywords

genetics; theory of evolution; natural selection; evolutionary psychology

Index Terms

*Evolutionary Psychology; *Genetics; *Natural Selection; Theory of Evolution

PsycINFO Classification

2510 Genetics

Population Group

Human

Copyright

Holder: Journal of Social, Evolutionary, and Cultural Psychology

Year: 2011

Release Date

20121022 (PsycINFO); 20140127 (PsycARTICLES)

Correction Date

20140127 (PsycINFO)

References

Number of Citations: 1, Number of Citations Displayed: 1