evolutionary developmental psychology

the application of the basic principles of Darwinian evolution, particularly natural selection, to explain human development. Evolutionary developmental psychology involves the study of the genetic and environmental mechanisms that underlie the universal development of social and cognitive competencies and the evolved epigenetic processes (gene–environment interactions) that adapt these competencies to local conditions. It assumes that not only are behaviors and cognitions that characterize adults the product of selection pressures operating over the course of evolution, but so also are characteristics of children’s behaviors and minds. [proposed in 2002 by U.S. developmental psychologists David Bjorklund (1949– ) and Anthony D. Pellegrini (1949– )]

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Psychology term of the day

July 27th 2024

defensible space

a set of principles and guidelines for the design and planning of settings to reduce crime. Among the critical elements of defensible space are the creation of shared territories in which people have collective control, good surveillance, and markers and other symbols of ownership and primary territory. See territoriality.