Question

Imagine that an evolutionary psychologist and a behaviorist were working together as consultants on a project. Identify areas where there is agreement and disagreement between these two perspectives.

Answer 1

Evolutionary and behavioural approach like other perspectives in the field of psychology, were developed to understand the reason behind a certain behaviour produced by a person. Evolutionary approach explains how the evolution universally, over the years has affected the human mind and behaviour. It focuses on the biological mechanisms imprinted in all individuals around the world irrespective of caste, creed and race. This perspective goes out to explain perception, memory, thinking and language as it has deep roots in cognitive psychology. Evolutionary perspective brings the essence of biology in the field of psychology.

Behavioural perspective on the other hand, emphasizes on explaining a certain behaviour exhibited, as a result of interaction with the environment. Unlike the evolutionary approach, behaviourists focus on the stimuli-response features. They investigate which stimuli (environmental factors) leads to a certain response (behaviour). Behaviour can be shaped. Thus, undesirable behaviour can be negated and desirable behaviour be encouraged through this approach.

As a Evolutionary Psychologist, a person would contribute to the project in understanding the causes of disorders like anorexia, sexual disorders, cheater detecting mechanisms, mating preferences and etcetera based on the biology of a body. A Behaviourist would down right disagree to such an approach because he would like to understand the cause and effect of a certain kind of behaviour exhibited instead of relying on the biological and chemical functioning of the body.

Every approach has a different perspective towards the level of understanding of human behaviour.