Question

• Current hospital practice after the birth of a child is to place it with the mother and/or father for a reasonable amount of time. But it wasn't always that way. For a while, babies were whisked away moments after birth and put in the incubator room where they could be kept "safe" and monitored. This unfortunately affected maternal bonding with infants and decreased maternal commitment to the infant's care in some cases. Use principles of evolutionary psychology to explain why this might be predicted. (Hint: consider parallels with male vs female post-natal investment in children)       

• Menopause seems like it violates evolutionary theory. If we are supposed to maximize reproduction, how would cutting off the ability to reproduce accomplish that? Use the concept of inclusive fitness as a way out of that apparent paradox. Why would menopause become more likely the older a woman becomes (assuming reproductive life histories that would have been the norm over most of human evolutionary history)?  

• In many species, males have excess reproductive capacity relative to females (if we consider investment per offspring by each sex). Competition between males for access to female reproduction is often given as a reason why the males of many species also tend to be bigger (or more colourful, or more ornate singers) than females. So what's up with phalaropes? Explain in terms of evolutionary principles.

• Milly, Molly, and Mandy are identical triplets in their 60s who experienced complicated births and had neurological problems shortly afterward. One of them underwent surgery that severed her corpus callosum. Another had a hemispherectomy; one side of her cortex was removed. The third recovered without treatment. They would like to know who had what operation, but their mother refuses to tell them and the hospital records have been lost. They have heard that you know something about psychology, but all you have is the ability to perform some basic tests and to use a simple EEG unit from your meditation practice (sensors on the forehead and just behind the ears). Devise some tests to figure out who had what procedure.  

• You recently had your corpus callosum severed in an attempt to control epilepsy (sorry). If I show an image of a parrot in your left visual field, how might you be able to respond in a way that would show that you recognize it as a clarinet? How would you likely not be able to respond? How might it be different if I showed an image of a pen? Explain. How might it be different if you had the operation when you were 2 years old? Explain.  

Answer 1

Use principles of evolutionary psychology to explain why this might be predicted. (Hint: consider parallels with male vs female post-natal investment in children)

There are well-developed principles and theories within evolutionary psychology . Mainly four major theories are found—

(1) prepared learning

(2) inclusive fitness and kin selection,

(3) reciprocity and cooperation, and

(4) parental investment.

Considering principles of evalutionary psychology, soon after the birth the baby is kept away in an incubator in order to help the baby to attain required body temperature and create a safe environment.

However this practice hinder to develop an early bond that can develop between the mother and the child is vital for the babies entire life. Beginning of an early affection towards eachother is psychologically rewarding for both mother and child.

Similarly, after the birth the presence of father can create the equal scenario for the baby and the father . Hence it is important to keep the baby close to parents is always better for both of them .

Why would menopause become more likely the older a woman becomes (assuming reproductive life histories that would have been the norm over most of human evolutionary history)?  

It is a normal phenomenon in a woman's aging process. Most women experience menopause about the age of 50, it can occur even before that age. The usual age range is 45 to 55.

Why would menopause become more likely the older a woman becomes ?

1. As we age hormone system changes
2. As women age , the menstrual periods stops due to hormone levels
3. Ovaries don't produce hormones anymore
4. It also stop producing eggs
5. Decrease in the level of libido
6. Increased risk of osteoporosis