Natural Selection is the process by which traits that enhance survival and reproductive success are more likely to be passed on to future generations.
Adaptive behaviors are those that provided a survival advantage to our ancestors, such as memory for food locations or social cooperation within a tribe.
Evolutionary psychology suggests that modern behaviors, like mate selection or aggression, are products of selection pressures faced in the distant past.
This is often referred to as the Ultimate Causes theory, looking at the 'why' of behavior through the lens of evolutionary
| Feature | Neurotransmitters | Hormones |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Synaptic gap (Neural) | Bloodstream (Endocrine) |
| Speed | Very fast (milliseconds) | Slower (seconds to minutes) |
| Duration | Short-lived | Longer-lasting |
| Target | Specific neurons | Widespread organs/tissues |
Avoid Biological Reductionism: While biological factors are powerful, examiners look for an acknowledgment that environment and cognition also play roles in behavior.
Correlation vs. Causation: Be careful when stating that a brain structure 'causes' a behavior; research often only shows a relationship or correlation between the two.
Evolutionary Evidence: Remember that evolutionary explanations are often theoretical because we cannot directly observe the behavior of extinct ancestors.
Check the System: Always verify if a question is asking about the Central Nervous System (Brain/Spinal Cord) or the Peripheral Nervous System (Somatic/Autonomic).
