Evolution has received mostly negative feedback from society, especially from non-scientists. Perhaps, evolution is controversial because it speaks to the beginning of humanity. Controversy originated from individuals’ religious backgrounds and faith in a higher being but they do not consider the definition of evolution. Noted by David Jacobs—Professor of Animal Evolution and Systematics at the University of Cape Town, non-scientists believe evolution states that human evolved from baboons. However, evolution only claims that humans and other non-human primates share a common ancestor (Jacobs, 2015).
Before Biology 1114, an evolutionary debate would have never crossed my mind, let alone discussing whether or not human behaviors are controlled …show more content…
Two vital components of evolution are an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce. Differences in an individual may be random, but the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce is not up to chance. Inherited traits more suited for a particular environment will allow individuals to thrive and flourish. Resources are finite and natural selection occurs because individuals are forced to compete for resources in order to stay alive. The ability to survive and reproduce goes hand in hand as shown in the following example. Reproduction in males is limited because of the access to females, however female reproduction comes to a halt because of finite resources. Luckily, males can gain access to females by providing vital resources for reproduction. Thus, competition is generated among males for resources. As a result of evolution and its mechanism, the claim of evolution shaping an individual’s behavior is proven.
Thomas Bouchard and John Loehlin are also supporters of evolution shaping an individual’s behavior. The duo argues in favor of evolution by mentioning Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, which states that personality traits—as well as human behaviors—are a reflection of humans hosting the evolutionary processes of natural selection and sexual selection (Dennett, 1995). Both evolutionary processes are needed in order …show more content…
J. Merritt Emlen notes three mechanisms that show a strong correlation between natural selection—or evolution, and human behavior. First, classical selection occurs when beneficial genes are selected before they are chosen as a result of environmental effects (Fisher, 1958; Hamilton, 1964; Smith, 1964). Natural selection then acts on a group rather than an individual (MacArthur, Lewontin & Orians, in press; Smith, 1964; Wright, 1955). The type of selection explained only acts on a population genetically isolated, like pre-Neolithic brands of people who had to survive and reproduce amongst similar pre-Neolithic people (Emlen,
Before Biology 1114, an evolutionary debate would have never crossed my mind, let alone discussing whether or not human behaviors are controlled …show more content…
Two vital components of evolution are an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce. Differences in an individual may be random, but the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce is not up to chance. Inherited traits more suited for a particular environment will allow individuals to thrive and flourish. Resources are finite and natural selection occurs because individuals are forced to compete for resources in order to stay alive. The ability to survive and reproduce goes hand in hand as shown in the following example. Reproduction in males is limited because of the access to females, however female reproduction comes to a halt because of finite resources. Luckily, males can gain access to females by providing vital resources for reproduction. Thus, competition is generated among males for resources. As a result of evolution and its mechanism, the claim of evolution shaping an individual’s behavior is proven.
Thomas Bouchard and John Loehlin are also supporters of evolution shaping an individual’s behavior. The duo argues in favor of evolution by mentioning Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, which states that personality traits—as well as human behaviors—are a reflection of humans hosting the evolutionary processes of natural selection and sexual selection (Dennett, 1995). Both evolutionary processes are needed in order …show more content…
J. Merritt Emlen notes three mechanisms that show a strong correlation between natural selection—or evolution, and human behavior. First, classical selection occurs when beneficial genes are selected before they are chosen as a result of environmental effects (Fisher, 1958; Hamilton, 1964; Smith, 1964). Natural selection then acts on a group rather than an individual (MacArthur, Lewontin & Orians, in press; Smith, 1964; Wright, 1955). The type of selection explained only acts on a population genetically isolated, like pre-Neolithic brands of people who had to survive and reproduce amongst similar pre-Neolithic people (Emlen,