When Does Human Life Begin? An Evolutionary Perspective

Learning to be Human: teaching, culture and human cognitive evolution

London Review of Education ◽

10.1080/1474846032000146749 ◽

2003 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Richard E. Bailey

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Child Development ◽

Cultural Transmission ◽

Human Life ◽

Human Cognition ◽

Cultural Learning ◽

Evolutionary Perspective ◽

Teaching Culture ◽

Life Pattern ◽

Contemporary Schooling

Psychology has taken an evolutionary turn of late. This paper acknowledges the importance of adopting an evolutionary perspective in attempting to understand human cognition and development, but it suggests that the model adopted by many evolutionary psychologists is incomplete. Learning, teaching and cultural transmission play vital roles in the distinctive human life pattern, but have received inadequate attention in the literature. Drawing upon primatological, anthropological and psychological data, this paper offers an articulation of 'cultural learning', which, it is claimed, is a peculiarly accurate and resilient form of social form, made possible by the uniquely human capacity for an intersubjective engagement with the mental and intentional lives of other people. The paper discusses the character and appearance of imitative, collaborative and instructed forms of learning within early childhood, and tentatively identifies implications for child development and contemporary schooling.

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Human Nature in a Nutshell

Evolutionary Psychopathology ◽

10.1093/med-psych/9780190246846.003.0001 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 3-29

Author(s):

Marco Del Giudice

Keyword(s):

Sexual Selection ◽

Life Cycle ◽

Human Nature ◽

Human Behavior ◽

Inclusive Fitness ◽

Human Life ◽

Evolutionary Perspective ◽

Unified Approach ◽

Biological Concepts ◽

The Mind

A unified approach to psychopathology requires an integrated working model of the mind and its functions. The opening chapter has two goals. The first is to present a brief overview of human behavior and development from an evolutionary perspective, with an emphasis on mating and social relationships. The second goal is to introduce a toolkit of biological concepts and theories that provide the necessary background for the remainder of the book. The chapter also introduces basic evolutionary concepts including adaptation and maladaptation, inclusive fitness, evolutionary conflicts, and social/sexual selection. The chapter concludes with an overview of the main life stages and transitions in the human life cycle.

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Biosecurity: tools, behaviours and concepts

Emerging Topics in Life Sciences ◽

10.1042/etls20200343 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (5) ◽

pp. 449-452

Author(s):

Alan MacLeod ◽

Nicola Spence

Keyword(s):

Plant Protection ◽

Human Life ◽

Animal Health ◽

Early Warning Systems ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Surveillance Programs ◽

Harmful Organisms ◽

The One ◽

Biosecurity Practices

COVID 19 has raised the profile of biosecurity. However, biosecurity is not only about protecting human life. This issue brings together mini-reviews examining recent developments and thinking around some of the tools, behaviours and concepts around biosecurity. They illustrate the multi-disciplinary nature of the subject, demonstrating the interface between research and policy. Biosecurity practices aim to prevent the spread of harmful organisms; recognising that 2020 is the International Year of Plant Health, several focus on plant biosecurity although invasive species and animal health concerns are also captured. The reviews show progress in developing early warning systems and that plant protection organisations are increasingly using tools that compare multiple pest threats to prioritise responses. The bespoke modelling of threats can inform risk management responses and synergies between meteorology and biosecurity provide opportunities for increased collaboration. There is scope to develop more generic models, increasing their accessibility to policy makers. Recent research can improve pest surveillance programs accounting for real-world constraints. Social science examining individual farmer behaviours has informed biosecurity policy; taking a broader socio-cultural approach to better understand farming networks has the potential to change behaviours in a new way. When encouraging public recreationists to adopt positive biosecurity behaviours communications must align with their values. Bringing together the human, animal, plant and environmental health sectors to address biosecurity risks in a common and systematic manner within the One Biosecurity concept can be achieved through multi-disciplinary working involving the life, physical and social sciences with the support of legislative bodies and the public.

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