Evolving Psychiatry Evolutionary Storytelling | Adam Hunt | Evolving Psychiatry Podcast #34
Oct 28, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Adam Hunt, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge, delves into the complexities of evolutionary narratives. He questions the validity of oversimplified stories in evolutionary psychology that connect modern traits to unseen historical events. Adam also examines the fascinating case of lactase tolerance, revealing how it demonstrates the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in shaping human experience. His insights challenge listeners to rethink their understanding of evolution and its impact on our emotions.
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Evolutionary Psychology's Storytelling Critique
- Evolutionary psychology often faces criticism of being "just-so storytelling" as it speculates about unobservable past events.
- Despite this, evolution undeniably shaped our mind, and the challenge is to infer these complex historical stories as best as possible.
Complexity of Evolutionary Stories
- The full evolutionary story involves countless ancestors surviving and reproducing under diverse environmental pressures.
- Explaining complex traits requires broad summaries that fit most individuals over long periods, accepting inherent historical complexity.
Lactase Persistence Evolution Story
- Lactase persistence in adults evolved due to recent selection in pastoralist populations drinking milk.
- Population declines and famine periods favored individuals with lactase tolerance, not a slow steady increase.