Increased affluence, life history theory, and the decline of shamanism

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Baumard
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Evolutionary Psychology ◽  
Life History Theory ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms

AbstractI applaud Singh's proposition to use evolutionary psychology to explain the recurrence of shamanistic beliefs. Here, I suggest that evolutionary mechanisms (i.e., life history theory) also can explain the variability of the distribution of shamanism. When resources are abundant, individuals become more patient and more open minded to the point that science becomes cognitively attractive and may replace magic.

Life History Theory and Evolutionary Psychology

2015 ◽  
pp. 1-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Del Giudice ◽  
Steven W. Gangestad ◽  
Hillard S. Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Evolutionary Psychology ◽  
Life History Theory

scholarly journals An Evolutionary Perspective on Health Psychology: New Approaches and Applications

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 147470491201000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua M. Tybur ◽  
Angela D. Bryan ◽  
Ann E. Caldwell Hooper
Keyword(s):  
Health Psychology ◽  
Life History ◽  
Full Advantage ◽  
Evolutionary Psychology ◽  
Life History Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evolutionary Perspective ◽  
New Approaches ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Evolutionary Perspectives

Although health psychologists' efforts to understand and promote health are most effective when guided by theory, health psychology has not taken full advantage of theoretical insights provided by evolutionary psychology. Here, we argue that evolutionary perspectives can fruitfully inform strategies for addressing some of the challenges facing health psychologists. Evolutionary psychology's emphasis on modular, functionally specialized psychological systems can inform approaches to understanding the myriad behaviors grouped under the umbrella of “health,” as can theoretical perspectives used by evolutionary anthropologists, biologists, and psychologists (e.g., Life History Theory). We detail some early investigations into evolutionary health psychology, and we provide suggestions for directions for future research.

A needed amendment that explains too much and resolves little

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Slavisa Tasic ◽  
Zeljka Buturovic
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Life History ◽  
Life History Theory ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Regional Patterns

Abstract Baumard's application of Life History Theory to explain the origins of economic growth is a needed amendment to incentive-based explanations of modern economics. However, even though it is grounded in evolution, the theory does not do enough to specify the relevant evolutionary mechanisms. As such, it accommodates too many alternative historic scenarios, yet remains unable to explain divergent regional patterns of economic growth.

On the use of “life history theory” in evolutionary psychology

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 474-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Stearns ◽  
António M.M. Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Evolutionary Psychology ◽  
Life History Theory

Interrelationships of factors of social development are more complex than Life History Theory predicts

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Kotchoubey
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Social Development ◽  
Life History Theory ◽  
Strong Correlations ◽  
Behavioral Features

Abstract Life History Theory (LHT) predicts a monotonous relationship between affluence and the rate of innovations and strong correlations within a cluster of behavioral features. Although both predictions can be true in specific cases, they are incorrect in general. Therefore, the author's explanations may be right, but they do not prove LHT and cannot be generalized to other apparently similar processes.

scholarly journals Five reasons COVID-19 is less severe in younger age groups

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W Turke
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Life History Theory ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
System Function ◽  
The Third ◽  
Immune System Function ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Younger Age

Abstract The severity of COVID-19 is age-related, with the advantage going to younger age groups. Five reasons are presented. The first two are well-known, are being actively researched by the broader medical community, and therefore are discussed only briefly here. The third, fourth, and fifth reasons derive from evolutionary life history theory, and potentially fill gaps in current understanding of why and how young and old age groups respond differently to infection with SARS-CoV-2. Age of onset of generalized somatic aging, and the timing of its progression, are identified as important causes of these disparities, as are specific antagonistic pleiotropic tradeoffs in immune system function.

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