TheoriesandConceptsofEvolutionandEvolutionaryPsychology(1)教程.pdf

In the distant future I see open fields forfar more important researches. P sychology will be based on a new foundation, that of the necessary acquirement of each mental power and capacity by graduation. Light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history. (p.458, The Origin of Species, 1859-1977) Chapter 1 Theories and Concepts of Evolution and Evolutionary Psychology One hundred and 50 years after Charles Darwin’s prediction, we are finally entering “far more important” psychological field, that of evolutionary psychology. What are some of the basic concepts from which the emerging field of evolutionary psychology draws its theoretical foundations? Who are the contributors of these concepts and what are some of the time lines by which to define the development of these concepts and theories? The purpose of this chapter is to introduce some of the theories and concepts of evolution that are relevant to and provide the theoretical foundations for evolutionary psychology. A secondary objective also is to present some of the originators of these concepts and related historical circumstances to which references are often made in the writings by evolutionary psychological researchers. Darwinism and Evolution in History Darwinism, Sociobiology and Evolutionary Psychology in China Twice in The Origin of Species, Darwin mentioned an ancient Chinese encyclopedia. “The principle of selection I find distinctly given in an ancient Chinese encyclopaedia” (Darwin, 1859/1979, Chapter 1, p.92). Darwin later mentioned the same encyclopedia in Chapter 5 on p.181 when talking about species and animal acclimation (Darwin, 1859). Unfortunately, Darwin did not provide the source for this Chinese encyclopedia. Some Chinese writers believe that Darwin referred to the work by Jia Si Xie around 500 AD of Wei Dynasty that was entitled “Important Arts for Peo