The Evolution of Negative Emotion
For this essay assignment, I am asking you to integrate theory and data relevant to the evolution of emotion. Because the point of this assignment is to engage with the material you are learning, not merely repeat it, you will need to find and reference at least TWO empirical articles that you have gleaned from the literature yourself (that is, two sources other than textbook and the lectures). In your search for sources, three very useful tools are “Google Scholar”, “PsycInfo” and “Web of Science”. Wikipedia is not an acceptable source, though you may find useful sources in the “References” lists of Wikipedia articles.
You will be evaluated on the coherence and rigor of your analysis—do you understand the relevant theories; can you tell what kinds of evidence support or undermine each theory? Have you chosen appropriate sources? What is the clarity of your expression? Maximum length for the essay is 1,000 words (not including your References Cited section, which you must have). Thus you will need to plan so that you are not only clear, but also concise.
Please submit your assignment in .docx format. Essays must be 12pt font, double-spaced, with page numbers. For citations, please use APA format.
Before you begin writing, please review the A.I. policy on the syllabus as well as univesity policies regarding plagiarism.
Prompt: The evolution of negative emotion
A. Choose one “negative” emotion (for example, disgust, anger, or fear). How might this emotion have solved adaptive challenge(s) for our ancestors? (5 pts)
–Identify the challenge faced by our ancestors in the EEA and how it is linked to reproductive success. What is the emotion and how does it motivate behavior to address this challenge?
B. What evidence suggests that this emotion is an adaptation (i.e., specifically shaped by natural selection to serve a function) and not a byproduct? (5 pts)
-Efficient design for the hypothesized function
C. Has the modern environment changed in any way from the ancestral environment that shaped this adaptation? What are some potential consequences of this mismatch? (5 pts)
-A non-emotional example of mismatch: Throughout human evolution, the relative presence of blue light was a reliable indicator of the day/night transition, so natural selection produced a system where light regulated our circadian rhythms via melatonin. In the mid-19th century, however, light bulbs were invented and today we have many sources of artificial light. This mismatch, produced by recent environmental change, has created conditions where melatonin and sleep can be disrupted by non-daylight blue light exposure (e.g. through screens), with maladaptive consequences.
D. Do you think we should think of human emotions as facultative or obligate adaptations? Why? Use your emotion as an example. (5 pts)
The grading rubric will evaluate how proficiently you respond to each of these questions, and will also consider whether you included two outside sources (5 points) and the overall organization and coherence of your writing (5 points).
The Evolution of Negative Emotion
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Introduction
Scientists, academics, and philosophers have been fascinated by the evolutionary origins of human emotion for centuries. Emotions became crucial mechanisms that helped organisms adapt to changing environments and survive and reproduce. Considerably, emotions such as fear served as powerful indicators that guided the actions of our predecessors when confronted with imminent threats. The insights into human nature and behavior can be gained by examining the evolutionary function of fear, its classification as an adaptation instead of a by-product, and its consequences in the modern world.
Fear: A Negative Emotion
Fear, a strong "negative" emotion, developed as a response to our ancestors' adaptive problems in the Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA). Survival amidst various threats, including hostile tribes, predatory animals, and environmental dangers, was the main challenge during the EEA. This intense feeling of fear served as a crucial alarm system, prompting a swift reaction in our predecessors. Fear triggers a "fight or flight" reaction when they encounter immediate threats, enabling them to deal with or avoid these dangers. In the EEA, the critical evolutionary theory of reproductive success was directly correlated with survival. When individuals successfully avoided risks, they increased their lifespan, improving the likelihood of reproducing and transmitting their genetic material. Fofana et al. (2020) thoroughly explored the current expressions of fear, analyzing the various reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, a comparison was made between modern-day fear of an invisible viral threat and ancestors' fear of natural predators. Besides, Chen, Liu, and Zhao (2020) examined the impact of fear on financial behaviors, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 era. Hence, fear significantly impacts modern human actions like financial decisions. Therefore, the historical record shows that people have acted to reduce severe threats out of fear. This initial response, honed over countless generations, played a crucial role in helping our predecessors overcome the obstacles they encountered, ensuring their ability to survive and pass on their genes.
Evidence for the Evolutionary Adaptation of Fear
The idea that fear is an evolutionary adaptation rather than a mere by-product is supported by much evidence from empirical research and the efficient way it has been designed. The instantaneous induction of behavioral responses like "fight or flight" in the context of threats is the initial indication that the practical design of fear for its hypothesized function can be seen. This suggests a system carefully developed over thousands of years to protect individuals from focused risks. Fofana et al. (2020) focus on the fact that fear responses are universal across different modern contexts, such as responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, lending credence to this idea. This feeling is deeply ingrained because people worldwide reacted differently to the virus, with increased caution, vigilance, and behavioral change. The universal presence of fear in different contexts and cultures implies that it may have an evolutionary foundation.
Additionally, Chen, Liu, and Zhao's ...