ecology

n. the study of relationships between organisms and their physical and social environments. Behavioral ecology is a subfield that examines how the behavior of nonhuman animals is affected by physical and social factors. —ecological adj. —ecologist n.

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Psychology term of the day

February 22nd 2025

Machiavellian hypothesis

the hypothesis that the evolution of intelligence, especially in its social aspects, was largely dependent on behavior characterized by a desire and striving for power. According to the hypothesis, individuals who are more Machiavellian in their behavior are more likely to be successful in adaptation and thus more likely to spread their genes to future generations. [Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527), Italian political theorist]