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AdaptationAn adaptation is a trait that has evolved through natural selection because it enhanced the survival
Adaptationism and its criticsAdaptationism is the research program in evolutionary biology and psychology that seeks to explain t
Adaptationist Accounts of ReligionAdaptationist accounts of religion propose that religious beliefs and practices, or the psychologica
Adaptive LagAdaptive lag refers to the phenomenon where a species' evolved adaptations, shaped by past environme
Adaptive vs. Maladaptive Responses to DiseaseThis entry differentiates between adaptive and maladaptive responses to disease within an evolutiona
Adolescence in Evolutionary PerspectiveAdolescence, a distinct life stage characterized by rapid physical, cognitive, and social changes, i
Adoption StudiesAdoption studies are a research methodology used to disentangle the relative contributions of geneti
Adult AttachmentAdult attachment theory extends Bowlby's original work on infant-caregiver bonds to romantic relatio
Aesthetic preferences as adaptationsAesthetic preferences, the inclinations to find certain stimuli beautiful or pleasing, are theorized
Affect Program TheoryAffect program theory posits that certain fundamental emotions are innate, universally recognized, a
Afterlife BeliefsAfterlife beliefs refer to the conviction that some aspect of an individual's consciousness or ident
Age at First ReproductionAge at first reproduction (AFR) is a fundamental life history trait reflecting the timing of an orga
AggressionAggression, in evolutionary psychology, refers to behaviors intended to inflict harm or damage on an
Aggression in Girls and WomenAggression in girls and women, while often less physically overt than in males, encompasses a range
Alfred Russel WallaceAlfred Russel Wallace was a British naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist, and biologist,
Allergy as Evolved ResponseAllergies, characterized by exaggerated immune responses to otherwise harmless substances, are incre
AllomotheringAllomothering refers to the care of offspring by individuals other than the biological mother, a wid
AlloparentingAlloparenting refers to any form of parental care provided by individuals other than a biological pa
Altruism (Evolutionary)Evolutionary altruism refers to behavior that benefits another individual at a cost to the actor's o
Altruistic PunishmentAltruistic punishment refers to the act of incurring a personal cost to punish a defector or norm-vi
Analytical Rumination HypothesisThe Analytical Rumination Hypothesis proposes that depression, or at least some forms of it, represe
Anger in Evolutionary PerspectiveAnger is an evolved emotional state characterized by feelings of antagonism toward someone or someth
Animal Models in Evolutionary PsychologyAnimal models in evolutionary psychology involve studying non-human species to gain insights into th
Animal PlayAnimal play refers to a diverse set of motor activities that appear purposeless, are intrinsically r
AnisogamyAnisogamy refers to the fundamental difference in size and number between male and female gametes, w
Anne Fausto-Sterling's CritiqueAnne Fausto-Sterling is a prominent biologist and gender theorist whose work critically examines the
Antibiotic Resistance EvolutionAntibiotic resistance evolution describes the process by which bacteria develop the ability to survi
Anxiety in Evolutionary PerspectiveAnxiety, a complex emotional state characterized by apprehension, worry, and physiological arousal,
Approximate Number SystemThe Approximate Number System (ANS) refers to an innate, non-symbolic cognitive system that allows h
Assortative MatingAssortative mating refers to a non-random mating pattern where individuals with similar phenotypes o
Attachment in Infants and ChildrenAttachment refers to the deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across
Audio Service Test FixtureFixture article for audioService.test.
Autobiographical MemoryAutobiographical memory refers to a complex system of memories for personal experiences that form an
Autoimmune Disease in Evolutionary PerspectiveAutoimmune diseases, conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues, p
AweAwe is a complex emotional experience characterized by feelings of vastness and a need for accommoda

Barbara SmutsBarbara Smuts is a prominent primatologist and evolutionary anthropologist known for her extensive f
Basic EmotionsThe concept of basic emotions posits that certain emotions are fundamental, biologically distinct, a
Bateman's PrincipleBateman's principle describes a fundamental asymmetry in sexual selection, positing that males gener
Behavior Genetics CritiquesCritiques of behavior genetics address methodological and conceptual challenges in attributing varia
Behavioral EcologyBehavioral ecology is a field that examines the evolutionary basis for animal behavior due to ecolog
Behavioral geneticsBehavioral genetics is a field that investigates the relative contributions of genetic and environme
Behavioral Immune SystemThe behavioral immune system refers to a suite of psychological mechanisms that detect cues of patho
Big Gods HypothesisThe Big Gods hypothesis proposes that belief in powerful, morally concerned, and omniscient deities
Big Mistake HypothesisThe Big Mistake Hypothesis proposes that human cooperative behaviors observed in modern, large-scale
Biological EssentialismBiological essentialism is the belief that certain attributes, behaviors, or capacities of individua
Birth Order and PersonalityThe hypothesis that an individual's birth order within their family systematically influences their
Body Symmetry and AttractivenessBody symmetry, particularly fluctuating asymmetry (FA), is a widely studied cue in evolutionary psyc
Born-Believers HypothesisThe born-believers hypothesis posits that humans possess innate cognitive biases and mechanisms that
Buller, DavidDavid Buller is a philosopher of science known for his extensive critiques of specific methodologies
Buller, DavidDavid Buller is a philosopher of science known for his influential critiques of certain foundational
Buller's Adapting MindsDavid Buller's 2005 book, *Adapting Minds: Evolutionary Psychology and the Persistent Allure of Gene
Bullying in Evolutionary PerspectiveBullying, defined as repeated aggressive behavior intended to harm another, is examined through an e
Buss, DavidDavid Buss is a prominent figure in evolutionary psychology, widely recognized for his pioneering re
By-product Accounts of ReligionBy-product accounts of religion propose that religious beliefs and practices are not direct adaptati
By-product HypothesesBy-product hypotheses propose that certain psychological traits or behaviors are not direct adaptati

Cancer in Evolutionary PerspectiveCancer, a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, is a fundamental challenge to multicell
Charles DarwinCharles Darwin (1809–1882) was an English naturalist whose theory of evolution by natural selection
Cheater DetectionCheater detection refers to a hypothesized specialized cognitive mechanism that evolved to identify
Childhood as a Life-History StageChildhood, in an evolutionary context, refers to a distinct period of human development characterize
Chimpanzee WarfareChimpanzee warfare refers to the organized, lethal aggression observed between groups of chimpanzees
CladisticsCladistics is a method of biological classification that groups organisms strictly by shared derived
Coalition FormationCoalition formation refers to the process by which two or more individuals cooperate to achieve a co
Coalitional AggressionCoalitional aggression refers to coordinated violence perpetrated by groups against other groups or
Coalitional PsychologyCoalitional psychology examines the evolved cognitive mechanisms that underpin human group formation
Coevolution of Pathogens and HostsThe coevolution of pathogens and hosts describes the reciprocal evolutionary changes occurring in tw
Cognitive AdaptationsCognitive adaptations are specialized mental mechanisms or information-processing systems that evolv
Cognitive Load and the Social BrainCognitive load refers to the total amount of mental effort being used in working memory, and its int
Cognitive SpecializationCognitive specialization refers to the evolutionary process by which distinct cognitive mechanisms o
Cognitive Swiss army knifeThe "cognitive Swiss army knife" is a metaphor used to describe the view that the human mind is comp
Color Terms Across CulturesThe study of color terms across cultures investigates how different languages categorize and name th
Comparative CognitionComparative cognition is the study of cognitive processes across different species, aiming to unders
Comparative PsychologyComparative psychology is the scientific study of animal behavior and mental processes, seeking to u
Concealed OvulationConcealed ovulation refers to the absence of overt, reliable signals of female fertility to males, a
Conceptual Analysis in Evolutionary PsychologyConceptual analysis in evolutionary psychology involves the rigorous examination and clarification o
Conformist TransmissionConformist transmission describes a specific type of social learning where individuals are dispropor
Content Bias in Cultural TransmissionContent bias refers to the differential adoption and retention of cultural traits based on their inh
Continuity vs. Discontinuity in Cognitive EvolutionThe debate over continuity versus discontinuity in cognitive evolution concerns whether human cognit
Convergent Evolution as EvidenceConvergent evolution refers to the independent evolution of similar traits or adaptations in differe
Cooking HypothesisThe Cooking Hypothesis posits that the controlled use of fire for cooking food was a pivotal evoluti
Coolidge effectThe Coolidge effect describes the phenomenon observed in many mammalian species where males, and to
Cooperation (Evolutionary)Evolutionary cooperation refers to behaviors where an individual incurs a cost to provide a benefit
Cooperation among KinCooperation among kin refers to the phenomenon where individuals provide benefits to genetic relativ
Cooperation Among Non-KinCooperation among non-kin refers to behaviors where individuals provide benefits to unrelated others
Cooperation at ScaleCooperation at scale refers to the human capacity for large-group cooperation, extending beyond kin
Cooperative Basis of LanguageThe cooperative basis of language refers to the hypothesis that human language, unlike animal commun
Cooperative BreedingCooperative breeding describes a social system where individuals other than the genetic parents assi
Cooperative CommunicationCooperative communication refers to the exchange of information between individuals that benefits bo
Cooperative-breeding hypothesis of human life historyThe cooperative-breeding hypothesis posits that the unique human life history pattern, characterized
Cordelia FineCordelia Fine is a prominent critic of evolutionary psychological explanations of sex differences, p
Cordelia Fine on Sex DifferencesCordelia Fine is a prominent critic of what she terms "neurosexism" and "gender essentialism," argui
Cortisol, stress, and statusCortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone released in response to stress, playing a crucial role in regul
Costly Punishment in CooperationCostly punishment refers to the act of imposing a penalty on a defector in a cooperative interaction
Costly Signaling TheoryCostly signaling theory proposes that individuals can honestly advertise their underlying quality or
Costly-Signaling Models of CooperationCostly-signaling models propose that individuals may engage in altruistic or cooperative behaviors t
Costly-signaling theory of religionThe costly-signaling theory of religion proposes that religious behaviors, particularly those involv
Cravings and Aversions in PregnancyPregnancy cravings and aversions refer to strong desires for or avoidance of specific foods and odor
Critical PeriodsCritical periods are specific developmental windows during which an organism is maximally sensitive
Critiques of Evolutionary PsychologyEvolutionary psychology, like any scientific field, has faced substantial criticism regarding its th
Critiques of the EEA ConceptThe Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA) is a foundational concept in evolutionary psycholo
Cross-cultural evidence in evolutionary psychologyCross-cultural evidence is critical for distinguishing between universal human psychological adaptat
Cross-cultural linguistic universalsCross-cultural linguistic universals refer to structural or functional properties found across all h
Cross-cultural methodThe cross-cultural method involves comparing psychological phenomena across diverse human societies
Cross-cultural variation in fairnessCross-cultural research on fairness investigates how perceptions and behaviors related to equitable
Cryptic Female ChoiceCryptic female choice refers to post-copulatory mechanisms by which females can bias paternity in fa
Cultural Attractor TheoryCultural attractor theory proposes that certain cultural variants are more likely to be adopted, ret
Cultural EvolutionCultural evolution refers to the cumulative, non-genetic transmission of information, behaviors, and
Cultural Group SelectionCultural group selection refers to the idea that cultural traits or practices can evolve through a p
Cultural TransmissionCultural transmission refers to the processes by which information, beliefs, attitudes, and behavior
Cumulative Cultural RatchetThe cumulative cultural ratchet refers to the unique human capacity for cultural knowledge and innov

Daly, MartinMartin Daly (1944–2020) was a prominent evolutionary psychologist and behavioral ecologist known for
Darwinian MedicineDarwinian medicine, also known as evolutionary medicine, applies evolutionary principles to understa
David BussDavid Buss is a prominent figure in evolutionary psychology, best known for his extensive research o
David Sloan WilsonDavid Sloan Wilson is an evolutionary biologist known for his advocacy of multilevel selection theor
Defensive KillingDefensive killing refers to acts of lethal aggression committed by an individual or group primarily
Demonic-Males HypothesisThe demonic-males hypothesis proposes that male-on-male aggression, particularly lethal coalitionary
Depression as DefenseThe 'depression as defense' hypothesis proposes that depressive symptoms, rather than being purely m
Dictator GameThe Dictator Game is an experimental economics paradigm used to measure altruism and fairness prefer
Direct ReciprocityDirect reciprocity describes a mechanism for the evolution of cooperation where individuals exchange
Disgust as a Cognitive SystemDisgust is a fundamental human emotion characterized by a strong aversion to certain stimuli, primar
Disposable-soma theoryThe disposable-soma theory posits that organisms face an evolutionary trade-off between investing re
Domain SpecificityDomain specificity refers to the hypothesis that the human mind is composed of numerous specialized
Domain-Specific ReasoningDomain-specific reasoning refers to cognitive mechanisms or modules that are specialized to solve pa
Dominance HierarchiesDominance hierarchies are structured patterns of social interaction in which individuals within a gr
Dual Inheritance TheoryDual inheritance theory, also known as gene-culture coevolution, proposes that human behavior is a p

Edward O. WilsonEdward O. Wilson (1929–2021) was an American biologist, naturalist, and writer, widely recognized as
Effect-size conventions in evolutionary psychologyEffect sizes quantify the magnitude of an observed phenomenon or relationship, providing a standardi
Elisabeth LloydElisabeth Lloyd is a philosopher of science known for her critical analyses of evolutionary explanat
EmbarrassmentEmbarrassment is a self-conscious emotion typically experienced in response to social transgressions
Emotion as AdaptationThe view that emotions are evolved psychological adaptations that serve specific functions in respon
Emotion in Evolutionary PerspectiveEmotions are theorized to be evolved psychological adaptations that coordinate physiological, cognit
EncephalizationEncephalization refers to the evolutionary increase in the relative size of the brain compared to bo
Environment of Evolutionary AdaptednessThe Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA) refers to the specific selection pressures and eco
Episodic MemoryEpisodic memory is a system for remembering specific past events, including their context and the su
EthologyEthology is the scientific study of animal behavior, particularly in natural environments, focusing
EusocialityEusociality is the highest level of social organization in animals, characterized by cooperative bro
Evolution of CooperationThe evolution of cooperation addresses the puzzle of how altruistic behaviors, which seemingly reduc
Evolution of Human DietThe evolution of the human diet is a central topic in evolutionary psychology, examining how dietary
Evolution of REM SleepRapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is a distinct and paradoxical sleep stage characterized by high brain
Evolution of Social NormsSocial norms are unwritten rules of behavior that are widely accepted and enforced within a group, g
Evolutionarily Stable StrategyAn Evolutionarily Stable Strategy (ESS) is a strategy that, if adopted by a population, cannot be in
Evolutionary Accounts of MoralityEvolutionary accounts of morality explore the origins and functions of human moral systems from a bi
Evolutionary AnthropologyEvolutionary anthropology is a scientific discipline that applies the principles of evolutionary the
Evolutionary Developmental PsychologyEvolutionary Developmental Psychology (EDP) is a research paradigm that applies the principles of ev
Evolutionary Explanations of ReligionEvolutionary explanations of religion seek to understand the origins, persistence, and universal fea
Evolutionary MedicineEvolutionary medicine, also known as Darwinian medicine, applies the principles of evolutionary biol
Evolutionary MismatchEvolutionary mismatch describes a situation where an organism's evolved traits, which were adaptive
Evolutionary psychologyEvolutionary psychology is an approach to the study of human cognition and behavior that applies pri
Evolutionary Psychology and GenderEvolutionary psychology examines sex differences in human psychology and behavior, proposing that ma
Evolutionary psychology and political ideologyEvolutionary psychology offers frameworks for understanding the origins and persistence of human pol
Evolutionary Psychology of HomosexualityThe evolutionary psychology of homosexuality investigates the apparent paradox of same-sex sexual be
Evolutionary Psychology of RapeThe evolutionary psychology of rape examines whether rape can be understood as an evolved adaptation
Evolutionary Theory of SenescenceThe evolutionary theory of senescence explains why organisms age and eventually die, positing that n
ExaptationExaptation refers to a trait that evolved for one purpose but was later co-opted for a different fun
Expensive-Tissue HypothesisThe Expensive-Tissue Hypothesis proposes that the evolution of a large brain in hominins was energet
Extended Sexuality in HumansExtended sexuality in humans refers to the phenomenon of female sexual receptivity and activity occu
Extra-Pair CopulationExtra-pair copulation (EPC) refers to sexual activity between an individual and a partner outside of

Facial Attractiveness ResearchFacial attractiveness research investigates the features and cues that humans perceive as beautiful,
Family ConflictFamily conflict, within an evolutionary framework, refers to the inherent disagreements and antagoni
Father Absence and Pubertal TimingThe hypothesis of father absence and pubertal timing posits that girls exposed to father absence dur
Father Involvement in Evolutionary PerspectiveFather involvement, defined as a father's direct and indirect contributions to offspring rearing, is
Fear of heightsFear of heights, or acrophobia, is a common human experience ranging from cautious apprehension to d
Female Choice in Sexual SelectionFemale choice, a fundamental mechanism of sexual selection, refers to the differential reproductive
Female Intrasexual CompetitionFemale intrasexual competition refers to the behavioral strategies and psychological mechanisms empl
Feminist Critiques of Evolutionary PsychologyFeminist critiques of evolutionary psychology examine its theoretical assumptions, methodologies, an
Fetal Origins of Adult DiseaseThe Fetal Origins of Adult Disease (FOAD) hypothesis, also known as the Barker hypothesis, posits th
Fever as DefenseFever, an elevated body temperature, is a highly conserved physiological response to infection and i
Fiction and Theory of MindThe relationship between engaging with fictional narratives and the development or exercise of theor
Field Experiments on CooperationField experiments on cooperation investigate prosocial behaviors in naturalistic settings, offering
Fluctuating Asymmetry as a Fitness CueFluctuating asymmetry (FA) refers to small, random deviations from perfect bilateral symmetry in mor
Flynn EffectThe Flynn effect refers to the substantial and sustained increase in scores on standardized intellig
Folk BiologyFolk biology refers to the intuitive, universal human understanding of the biological world, includi
Folk PhysicsFolk physics refers to the intuitive, often implicit understanding that humans possess regarding the
Folk PsychologyFolk psychology refers to the human capacity to explain and predict the behavior of others by attrib
Folk TaxonomyFolk taxonomy refers to the universal human tendency to classify and name natural objects, particula
Food Sharing in ForagersFood sharing, the non-familial distribution of acquired resources, is a distinctive feature of human
Forager Societies and the EEAThe Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA) refers to the set of selective pressures that shap
Francis GaltonFrancis Galton (1822–1911) was a Victorian polymath whose wide-ranging scientific contributions laid
Frans de WaalFrans de Waal is a Dutch primatologist and ethologist renowned for his extensive research into the s
Fraternal Birth Order EffectThe fraternal birth order effect (FBOE) refers to the empirical finding that the probability of a ma
Free-Rider ProblemThe free-rider problem describes the challenge in cooperative systems where individuals benefit from
Frequency-dependent selectionFrequency-dependent selection occurs when the fitness of a phenotype or genotype depends on its freq
Friendship in Evolutionary PerspectiveFriendship, broadly defined as a non-kin, non-reproductive social bond characterized by positive aff
Function of PlayPlay, a seemingly non-utilitarian behavior observed across many mammalian and avian species, is a co
Functions of FearFear is a fundamental evolved psychological mechanism designed to detect and respond to threats, pro

Game Theory in EvolutionGame theory provides a mathematical framework for analyzing strategic interactions between rational
Gene-culture coevolutionGene-culture coevolution describes the dynamic interplay between genetic and cultural evolution, whe
Gene-Environment CorrelationsGene-environment correlation (rGE) refers to situations where an individual's genetic predisposition
Generalizability of Evolutionary-Psychology FindingsThe generalizability of evolutionary-psychology findings refers to the extent to which observations
Genetic DriftGenetic drift is a mechanism of evolution characterized by random fluctuations in the frequencies of
Genetic FallacyThe genetic fallacy is a logical error that occurs when an argument's validity or truth is judged ba
Genome-wide association studies of behaviorGenome-wide association studies (GWAS) examine the entire genome to identify genetic variants, typic
George C. WilliamsGeorge C. Williams (1926–2010) was an American evolutionary biologist whose rigorous theoretical con
Gesture-First HypothesisThe gesture-first hypothesis proposes that human language evolved from a system of manual and bodily
Good-genes hypothesisThe good-genes hypothesis proposes that individuals choose mates based on traits that reliably signa
Gowaty, PatriciaPatricia Adair Gowaty is an evolutionary biologist known for her influential work challenging tradit
Gowaty, Patricia AdairPatricia Adair Gowaty is an American evolutionary biologist known for her pioneering work on sexual
Grandmother hypothesisThe grandmother hypothesis proposes that menopause, a unique feature of human females, evolved becau
Greenbeard effectThe greenbeard effect describes a theoretical mechanism for altruism where individuals recognize and
Group Differences ResearchGroup differences research in evolutionary psychology investigates systematic variations in psycholo
Group IdentityGroup identity refers to an individual's sense of belonging to a particular social group and the emo
Group SelectionGroup selection refers to the idea that natural selection can operate at the level of groups, favori
Guilt in Evolutionary PerspectiveGuilt is a complex social emotion characterized by feelings of remorse, self-blame, and a desire for

Hamilton, William D.William D. Hamilton (1936–2000) was a British evolutionary biologist whose theoretical work profound
Hamilton's RuleHamilton's Rule is a foundational principle in evolutionary biology, providing a mathematical framew
Handicap PrincipleThe Handicap Principle proposes that reliable signals of quality or fitness must be costly to produc
Hawkes, KristenKristen Hawkes is an American anthropologist renowned for her contributions to human behavioral ecol
Hawkes, KristenKristen Hawkes is an American evolutionary anthropologist known for her pioneering work on the grand
Helena CroninHelena Cronin is a philosopher of science known for her work on the conceptual foundations and impli
Herbert SpencerHerbert Spencer was a prominent English philosopher and polymath of the Victorian era, best known fo
Hereditarianism and its CriticsHereditarianism is the view that individual or group differences in complex traits, particularly cog
HeritabilityHeritability is a statistical concept that quantifies the proportion of phenotypic variation in a po
Heritability EstimatesHeritability estimates quantify the proportion of phenotypic variation in a population that is attri
Heritability of IntelligenceHeritability of intelligence refers to the proportion of variance in intelligence test scores within
Hill, KimKim Hill is a prominent evolutionary anthropologist known for his extensive fieldwork among foraging
Hillard KaplanHillard Kaplan is an American anthropologist known for his foundational contributions to evolutionar
Homicide and EvolutionThe study of homicide from an evolutionary perspective examines how patterns of lethal violence migh
Honor CulturesHonor cultures are social systems characterized by a strong emphasis on reputation, respect, and the
Horizontal Cultural TransmissionHorizontal cultural transmission refers to the process by which cultural information, such as belief
Human Behavioral EcologyHuman Behavioral Ecology (HBE) is a research paradigm that applies the principles of evolutionary bi
Human LongevityHuman longevity, the extended lifespan characteristic of *Homo sapiens* compared to most other mamma
Hunger and SatietyHunger and satiety are fundamental motivational states that regulate energy intake, driving organism
Hunter-gatherer Hypothesis of Spatial CognitionThe hunter-gatherer hypothesis of spatial cognition proposes that human spatial abilities, particula
Hunter-gatherer studiesHunter-gatherer studies involve the ethnographic and archaeological investigation of societies that
Hygiene HypothesisThe Hygiene Hypothesis proposes that reduced exposure to microorganisms, especially during early chi
Hymenoptera and HaplodiploidyHymenoptera, an order of insects including ants, bees, and wasps, exhibit a unique genetic system ca

Imagination and PlanningImagination and planning refer to cognitive capacities that enable organisms to mentally simulate fu
Imitation in Evolutionary PerspectiveImitation, the copying of observed actions, is a fundamental mechanism for cultural transmission and
ImprintingImprinting is a rapid, critical-period learning process, primarily observed in precocial birds, wher
Inclusive FitnessInclusive fitness is a theoretical concept in evolutionary biology that expands the traditional unde
Inclusive Fitness Applied to HumansInclusive fitness theory, developed by William Hamilton, extends the concept of fitness beyond an in
Indirect AggressionIndirect aggression refers to a form of social manipulation where harm is inflicted upon a target wi
Indirect ReciprocityIndirect reciprocity is a mechanism for the evolution of cooperation where an individual's altruisti
InfidelityInfidelity, broadly defined as sexual or emotional involvement with a partner outside of an establis
Inflammatory ResponseThe inflammatory response is a fundamental, evolutionarily ancient biological process by which the b
Ingroup-Outgroup BiasIngroup-outgroup bias refers to the pervasive human tendency to favor members of one's own group (th
Intelligence in Evolutionary PerspectiveIntelligence, broadly defined as the capacity for complex and flexible problem-solving, is a central
Intergroup ConflictIntergroup conflict refers to antagonistic interactions between two or more distinct social groups,
Intersexual SelectionIntersexual selection, a component of sexual selection, describes the process by which individuals o
Intrasexual SelectionIntrasexual selection refers to competition between members of the same sex for access to mates, lea
Is/Ought DistinctionThe is/ought distinction, also known as Hume's Guillotine, posits a fundamental logical gap between

Jerome BarkowJerome Barkow is a Canadian anthropologist recognized for his foundational contributions to evolutio
John Maynard SmithJohn Maynard Smith (1920–2004) was a British evolutionary biologist and geneticist whose work was fo
John ToobyJohn Tooby is a foundational figure in evolutionary psychology, best known for his collaborative wor
Joint AttentionJoint attention refers to the shared focus of two or more individuals on the same object or event, m
Jonathan HaidtJonathan Haidt is a prominent moral and political psychologist known for his work on the origins and
Joseph HenrichJoseph Henrich is a prominent anthropologist and economist known for his foundational work on gene-c
Just-So StoriesThe term "just-so story" in evolutionary psychology refers to a common criticism alleging that some
Juvenility in HumansHuman juvenility is a distinct life history stage characterized by a prolonged period of slow growth

Karl von FrischKarl von Frisch (1886–1982) was an Austrian ethologist who pioneered the study of animal communicati
Kim Hill (anthropologist)Kim Hill is an American evolutionary anthropologist known for his extensive fieldwork among foraging
Kin SelectionKin selection is an evolutionary theory proposing that altruistic behaviors can evolve if they prefe
Kin-selection hypothesis of homosexualityThe kin-selection hypothesis of homosexuality proposes that genes predisposing individuals to homose
Kinship RecognitionKinship recognition refers to the evolved psychological mechanisms that enable organisms to identify
Konrad LorenzKonrad Lorenz (1903–1989) was an Austrian zoologist and ethologist, widely recognized as one of the

Lactase PersistenceLactase persistence refers to the continued expression of the lactase enzyme into adulthood, allowin
Language as AdaptationThe hypothesis that human language, with its complex syntax and semantics, is a biological adaptatio
Language PhylogeneticsLanguage phylogenetics is the application of methods from biological phylogenetics to reconstruct th
Late Pleistocene Symbolic CultureLate Pleistocene symbolic culture refers to the emergence and development of complex symbolic behavi
Leda CosmidesLeda Cosmides is a foundational figure in evolutionary psychology, best known for her pioneering wor
Lethal RaidingLethal raiding refers to organized, coordinated attacks by groups of individuals from one community
Life History TheoryLife History Theory (LHT) is a framework within evolutionary biology that examines how natural selec
Linguistic RelativityLinguistic relativity, also known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, posits that the structure of a lang
LoveLove, in evolutionary psychology, refers to a suite of evolved psychological mechanisms and motivati

Machiavellian IntelligenceMachiavellian intelligence refers to the suite of cognitive abilities that evolved to navigate and e
Male Competition in Sexual SelectionMale competition in sexual selection refers to the evolutionary processes by which males vie for acc
Male-Male AggressionMale-male aggression refers to competitive behaviors between individuals of the male sex, a phenomen
Markets and ProsocialityThis entry explores the complex relationship between market interactions and prosocial behavior, exa
Marlene ZukMarlene Zuk is an evolutionary biologist known for her research on sexual selection, particularly th
Marriage Systems Across CulturesMarriage systems, defined as socially sanctioned unions between individuals, exhibit remarkable dive
Martin DalyMartin Daly (b. 1944) is a prominent evolutionary psychologist known for his foundational work in ap
Massive Modularity HypothesisThe massive modularity hypothesis proposes that the human mind is largely, if not entirely, composed
Mate CopyingMate copying, also known as 'social learning in mate choice,' describes a phenomenon where an indivi
Mate Guarding in HumansMate guarding refers to behaviors employed by individuals to prevent their reproductive partners fro
Mate PoachingMate poaching refers to the act of attempting to attract an individual who is already in a romantic
Mate RetentionMate retention refers to the set of behaviors and psychological mechanisms evolved to maintain a mat
Mate ValueMate value refers to an individual's overall desirability as a reproductive partner, encompassing a
Meaning-making MindThe concept of the meaning-making mind refers to the human cognitive propensity to construct coheren
MemesMemes, as originally conceived by Richard Dawkins, are units of cultural information that replicate
Memory Systems and AdaptationMemory systems are not unitary but comprise distinct, specialized mechanisms that evolved to solve r
MenopauseMenopause, the permanent cessation of ovarian function and menstruation in human females, presents a
Menstrual Cycle and BehaviorThe menstrual cycle, a recurring physiological process in human females, is theorized to influence v
Mental Disorders in Evolutionary PerspectiveAn evolutionary perspective on mental disorders seeks to understand why certain psychological condit
Mental RotationMental rotation is the cognitive process of imagining an object rotating in three-dimensional space,
Mental Time TravelMental time travel (MTT) refers to the cognitive capacity to mentally project oneself into the past
Meta-analysis in Evolutionary PsychologyMeta-analysis is a statistical technique that systematically combines the results of multiple indepe
MHC and Mate Choice in HumansThe Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is a gene region critical for immune function, and resear
Miller, GeoffreyGeoffrey Miller is an American evolutionary psychologist known for his work on sexual selection, par
Miller, GeoffreyGeoffrey Miller is an evolutionary psychologist known for his work on sexual selection, particularly
Minimal-Group ParadigmThe minimal-group paradigm is an experimental method used to investigate the minimal conditions unde
Mirror Neurons and LanguageMirror neurons are a class of visuomotor neurons that discharge both when an individual performs an
Mismatch in HealthEvolutionary mismatch refers to the phenomenon where traits or behaviors that were adaptive in an an
Modes of ReligiosityThe Modes of Religiosity theory, primarily developed by Harvey Whitehouse, proposes that religious t
Modularity of MindThe modularity of mind hypothesis proposes that the mind is composed of distinct, specialized comput
MonogamyMonogamy, broadly defined as an exclusive pair-bond, is a mating system characterized by a single ma
Moral DisgustMoral disgust refers to a specific emotional response characterized by revulsion and a desire for av
Moral EmotionsMoral emotions are a class of affective states that are evoked by moral violations or virtues, motiv
Moral Foundations TheoryMoral Foundations Theory (MFT) is a social psychological theory proposing that human morality is bui
Moral Psychology in ChildrenMoral psychology in children examines the developmental trajectory of moral cognition, emotion, and
Moralistic PunishmentMoralistic punishment refers to the costly enforcement of social norms and cooperation, often by thi
Moralizing High GodsMoralizing high gods are supernatural agents believed to be omniscient, omnipotent, and concerned wi
Multilevel Selection TheoryMultilevel selection theory proposes that natural selection can operate on multiple levels of biolog

Narrative as AdaptationThe hypothesis of narrative as adaptation proposes that the human capacity for creating and comprehe
Natural Experiments in Evolutionary PsychologyNatural experiments are research designs that leverage naturally occurring events or conditions that
Natural PedagogyNatural pedagogy is a theory positing that humans possess an evolved, species-specific cognitive ada
Natural SelectionNatural selection is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in
Naturalistic FallacyThe naturalistic fallacy is the erroneous inference that what *is* natural is inherently good or oug
Network ReciprocityNetwork reciprocity describes how the structure of interactions within a population can facilitate t
Neutral Theory of Molecular EvolutionThe Neutral Theory of Molecular Evolution proposes that most evolutionary changes at the molecular l
Niche ConstructionNiche construction refers to the process by which organisms, through their activities, modify their
Niko TinbergenNikolaas "Niko" Tinbergen (1907–1988) was a Dutch ethologist and ornithologist, one of the founders
Norenzayan, AraAra Norenzayan is a prominent social psychologist known for his work on the cognitive and evolutiona
Norenzayan, AraAra Norenzayan is a prominent social psychologist whose work bridges cognitive science, cultural psy
Norms and Norm EnforcementSocial norms are shared rules of conduct that prescribe appropriate behavior within a group, and the
Not in Our GenesPublished in 1984 by Richard Lewontin, Steven Rose, and Leon Kamin, *Not in Our Genes: Biology, Ideo
Numerical cognition in non-humansNumerical cognition in non-human animals refers to their capacity to process and represent numerical

Obesity and Evolutionary MismatchObesity, characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, is a major public health concern often un
Object Location MemoryObject location memory refers to the cognitive ability to remember where specific objects are situat
Oblique Cultural TransmissionOblique cultural transmission refers to the process by which individuals acquire cultural informatio
Old-friends hypothesisThe old-friends hypothesis proposes that the human immune system co-evolved with a diverse array of
Open Science in Evolutionary PsychologyOpen science refers to a set of practices designed to increase the transparency, accessibility, and
Optimality Models in EvolutionOptimality models are theoretical tools used in evolutionary biology to predict the behavioral or ph
Origins of LanguageThe origins of human language represent one of the most profound and enduring puzzles in evolutionar
Origins of MusicThe evolutionary origins of music refer to the adaptive or non-adaptive pathways through which human
Outgroup hostilityOutgroup hostility refers to negative attitudes, emotions, and behaviors directed towards individual
Overimitation in ChildrenOverimitation refers to the tendency of human children to meticulously copy all observed actions, in
Ovulatory Shift HypothesisThe ovulatory shift hypothesis posits that women's mate preferences and behaviors change across the

Pain as AdaptationPain is a complex, unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential t
Pair BondingPair bonding refers to the formation of a strong, selective, and enduring social and sexual affiliat
Parent-Offspring ConflictParent-offspring conflict describes the evolutionary tension arising from the differing optimal fitn
Parental Investment TheoryParental Investment Theory, developed by Robert Trivers, explains how differences in the energetic a
Parochial AltruismParochial altruism describes the phenomenon where individuals exhibit altruistic behavior towards me
Partner Choice in CooperationPartner choice refers to the ability of individuals to select with whom they interact, particularly
Pascal BoyerPascal Boyer is a French anthropologist and cognitive scientist known for his pioneering work in the
Pathogen avoidance and prejudicePathogen avoidance theory proposes that evolved psychological mechanisms designed to detect and avoi
Pathogen DisgustPathogen disgust is a fundamental human emotion characterized by a strong aversion to stimuli percei
Patriarchy in Evolutionary PerspectivePatriarchy, broadly defined as a social system where men hold primary power and predominate in roles
Phenotypic PlasticityPhenotypic plasticity refers to the ability of a single genotype to produce different phenotypes in
Pheromones in Human MatingPheromones are chemical signals released by an organism that elicit a specific behavioral or physiol
Phylogenetic Comparative MethodsPhylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs) are a suite of statistical techniques used to analyze data c
Phylogenetic Signal in PsychologyPhylogenetic signal refers to the tendency for closely related species to resemble each other more t
Pinker's Defenses of Evolutionary PsychologySteven Pinker has been a prominent public advocate and defender of evolutionary psychology, articula
Pleasure and Adaptive FunctionPleasure, in an evolutionary context, is understood as a subjective experience that motivates organi
Politics of Evolutionary PsychologyThe politics of evolutionary psychology refers to the societal and academic controversies that arise
PolyandryPolyandry refers to a mating system where one female mates with multiple males, contrasting with pol
Polygenic Scores in Behavioral GeneticsPolygenic scores (PGS), also known as polygenic risk scores (PRS), are a method for quantifying an i
PolygynyPolygyny refers to a mating system where one male mates with multiple females, while each female mat
Poverty of the StimulusThe poverty of the stimulus (POS) argument posits that the linguistic input available to children du
Pre-linguistic CommunicationPre-linguistic communication refers to the diverse range of non-verbal signals and behaviors used by
Pregnancy SicknessPregnancy sickness, commonly known as morning sickness, refers to the nausea and vomiting experience
Preparedness Theory of PhobiasThe preparedness theory of phobias posits that humans and other animals are biologically predisposed
Preregistration in Evolutionary ResearchPreregistration involves specifying a research plan, including hypotheses, methods, and analysis str
Prestige Bias in Cultural LearningPrestige bias in cultural learning describes the tendency for individuals to preferentially acquire
Prestige vs. DominanceThe distinction between prestige and dominance describes two distinct pathways to achieving social s
PridePride is a self-conscious emotion that arises from achievements or social recognition and is theoriz
Prospective MemoryProspective memory refers to the ability to remember to perform an intended action at a future point
Pubertal TimingPubertal timing refers to the age at which an individual undergoes the biological changes associated
Public-goods gameThe public-goods game is an experimental paradigm used to study cooperation in groups, particularly
Public-Goods Provision in HumansPublic goods are resources or services that are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, meaning that once

Race and IQ ControversyThe 'Race and IQ controversy' refers to the long-standing and highly contentious debate concerning o
Randolph NesseRandolph Nesse is a physician and evolutionary biologist known for his foundational work in evolutio
Reasoning about ContagionReasoning about contagion refers to a suite of cognitive mechanisms evolved to detect, avoid, and ma
Reciprocal AltruismReciprocal altruism is a theory explaining the evolution of altruistic behavior between non-kin indi
Reconciliation in PrimatesReconciliation refers to post-conflict affiliative interactions between former opponents, serving to
Recursion in LanguageRecursion in language refers to the ability to embed structures within similar structures, allowing
Religious Conversion and IdentityReligious conversion, the process by which individuals adopt a new religious belief system or affili
Reproductive Futurity in Homosexual OrientationThe concept of reproductive futurity, which posits that evolutionary explanations for traits must ul
Reproductive SchedulingReproductive scheduling refers to the timing and patterning of key reproductive events over an organ
Reputation and AggressionReputation, understood as the public perception of an individual's past actions and likely future be
Reputation and Large-Scale CooperationReputation, understood as an individual's public standing based on past actions, plays a crucial rol
Reputation Systems in CooperationReputation systems are mechanisms by which individuals acquire and share information about the past
Reverse engineering the mindReverse engineering the mind is a central methodological metaphor in evolutionary psychology, propos
Reward and Dopamine in Evolutionary PerspectiveReward systems, particularly those involving dopamine, are fundamental neural mechanisms that motiva
Richard DawkinsRichard Dawkins is a prominent British evolutionary biologist, ethologist, and author, best known fo
Richard LewontinRichard Lewontin (1929–2021) was an American evolutionary biologist, geneticist, and prominent criti
Richard Lewontin on Evolutionary PsychologyRichard Lewontin was a prominent evolutionary geneticist and vocal critic of sociobiology and evolut
Richerson, PeterPeter Richerson is an American ecologist and evolutionary biologist known for his foundational contr
Richerson, Peter J.Peter J. Richerson is a prominent evolutionary ecologist known for his foundational contributions to
Ridley, MattMatt Ridley is a British science writer, journalist, and businessman known for his popular science b
Ridley, MattMatt Ridley is a British science writer, journalist, and businessman known for his popular science b
Risk-taking and Male BehaviorRisk-taking behavior is observed across many species, often exhibiting sex differences, with males t
Ritual and MusicRitual and music are ubiquitous features of human cultures, often deeply intertwined, and their orig
Ritual in Evolutionary PerspectiveRituals are formalized, repetitive, and often symbolic behaviors that lack direct instrumental purpo
Robert BoydRobert Boyd is an anthropologist and evolutionary theorist known for his foundational contributions
Robert SapolskyRobert Sapolsky is a neuroendocrinologist and primatologist renowned for his interdisciplinary work
Robert TriversRobert Trivers is a foundational figure in modern evolutionary theory, whose work in the early 1970s
Robert WrightRobert Wright is an American journalist and author known for his accessible explorations of complex
Robin DunbarRobin Dunbar is a British evolutionary psychologist and anthropologist best known for proposing Dunb
Romantic LoveRomantic love is a complex suite of emotions, motivations, and behaviors characterized by intense at
Rough-and-Tumble PlayRough-and-tumble play refers to vigorous, often physical, social play behavior observed across many
Runaway Sexual SelectionRunaway sexual selection describes a process where a female preference for an exaggerated male trait

Sacred ValuesSacred values are those principles or beliefs that individuals or groups hold to be non-negotiable a
Sadness as AdaptationSadness, often perceived as a negative emotional state, is theorized within evolutionary psychology
Sahlins on SociobiologyMarshall Sahlins was a prominent cultural anthropologist whose 1976 work, *The Use and Abuse of Biol
Sally-Anne TaskThe Sally-Anne task is a classic false-belief test used in developmental psychology and cognitive sc
Sarah Blaffer HrdySarah Blaffer Hrdy is a prominent primatologist and anthropologist whose work has significantly infl
Savanna Hypothesis of Landscape PreferenceThe savanna hypothesis posits that humans possess an evolved preference for landscapes resembling th
Scott AtranScott Atran is an anthropologist and cognitive psychologist known for his interdisciplinary research
Self-conscious emotions and moralitySelf-conscious emotions, such as guilt, shame, pride, and embarrassment, are complex affective state
Self-protective aggressionSelf-protective aggression refers to aggressive behaviors enacted by an individual or group to defen
Self-report methods in evolutionary psychologySelf-report methods, which involve individuals providing information about their own thoughts, feeli
Sensitive Periods in DevelopmentSensitive periods are specific developmental windows during which an organism is particularly recept
Sensory Bias in Sexual SelectionSensory bias, also known as pre-existing bias or receiver bias, describes the phenomenon where a pre
Separation DistressSeparation distress refers to the suite of emotional, physiological, and behavioral responses exhibi
Sex Differences in AggressionSex differences in aggression are a robust and widely observed phenomenon across human societies and
Sex Differences in JealousySex differences in jealousy refer to hypothesized evolved psychological mechanisms that lead men and
Sex Differences in Mate PreferencesSex differences in mate preferences refer to the distinct patterns observed in what men and women se
Sex Differences in Spatial CognitionSex differences in spatial cognition refer to consistent, statistically significant disparities obse
Sex-typed play in childhoodSex-typed play refers to the consistent preference children show for activities, toys, and play part
Sexual AntagonismSexual antagonism describes a conflict of interest between males and females over reproductive strat
Sexual Coercion in HumansSexual coercion in humans refers to any behavior by which an individual obtains sexual contact again
Sexual Coercion in Non-Human AnimalsSexual coercion in non-human animals refers to the use of force, threat, or harassment by one indivi
Sexual ConflictSexual conflict arises from the divergent evolutionary interests of males and females regarding repr
Sexual DimorphismSexual dimorphism refers to distinct differences in morphology, physiology, and behavior between mal
Sexual DisgustSexual disgust refers to a specific sub-type of the emotion of disgust, elicited by stimuli related
Sexual SelectionSexual selection is a mode of natural selection in which individuals with certain inherited characte
Sexual Selection in HumansSexual selection describes the evolutionary process by which certain traits increase an individual's
Sexual Strategies TheorySexual Strategies Theory (SST) proposes that human males and females have evolved distinct, context-
Sexy-son hypothesisThe sexy-son hypothesis posits that females may choose mates based on traits that enhance the reprod
ShamanismShamanism refers to a set of ancient religious practices centered on a practitioner, the shaman, who
ShameShame is a complex, self-conscious emotion characterized by feelings of worthlessness, humiliation,
Short-term and long-term mating strategiesShort-term and long-term mating strategies refer to distinct evolved psychological and behavioral re
Showing-off HypothesisThe showing-off hypothesis proposes that individuals engage in costly, risky, or difficult activitie
Sibling ConflictSibling conflict refers to the antagonistic interactions between siblings, which are understood in e
Sibling Relationships in DevelopmentSibling relationships are a fundamental and enduring aspect of human social life, profoundly shaping
Sickness BehaviorSickness behavior refers to a coordinated set of adaptive changes in an organism's behavior, physiol
Skin Pigmentation and SelectionSkin pigmentation is a highly visible human trait that has evolved primarily as an adaptation to var
Sleep in Evolutionary PerspectiveSleep, a ubiquitous and seemingly vulnerable state across the animal kingdom, presents a significant
Slow-Fast Life-History ContinuumThe slow-fast life-history continuum describes a fundamental trade-off in how organisms allocate fin
Smith, SubrenaSubrena Smith is a philosopher of science known for her critical analyses of evolutionary psychology
Smith, SubrenaSubrena Smith is a philosopher of science known for her critiques of evolutionary psychology, partic
Smuts, BarbaraBarbara Smuts is a primatologist and evolutionary anthropologist known for her extensive fieldwork o
Snake Detection TheorySnake Detection Theory posits that the unique visual and cognitive adaptations of primates, particul
Social Brain HypothesisThe social brain hypothesis posits that the cognitive demands of living in complex, stable social gr
Social Referencing in InfantsSocial referencing is the process by which infants look to a caregiver's emotional expressions to gu
SociobiologySociobiology is the scientific study of the biological (especially evolutionary) bases of all social
Sociobiology Study GroupThe Sociobiology Study Group was a collective of scientists and activists, primarily associated with
SpandrelIn evolutionary biology, a spandrel refers to a phenotypic characteristic that arises as a byproduct
Speech and Song OriginsThe evolutionary origins of human speech and song represent a fundamental problem in evolutionary ps
Sperm CompetitionSperm competition refers to the direct competition between the sperm of two or more males to fertili
Spider PhobiaSpider phobia, or arachnophobia, is a common specific phobia characterized by an intense, irrational
Spirit BeliefsSpirit beliefs, encompassing the conviction that non-physical entities or essences inhabit the world
Standard Evolutionary MetatheoryStandard Evolutionary Metatheory (SEM) refers to a foundational theoretical framework within evoluti
Status (Evolutionary Perspective)Status, from an evolutionary perspective, refers to an individual's relative social rank or position
Stephen Jay GouldStephen Jay Gould (1941–2002) was a prominent American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and h
Stephen Jay Gould on Evolutionary PsychologyStephen Jay Gould, a prominent paleontologist and evolutionary biologist, was a vocal critic of evol
Steven PinkerSteven Pinker is a prominent cognitive psychologist, linguist, and popular science author whose work
Storytelling in Evolutionary PerspectiveStorytelling, a ubiquitous human activity, is examined from an evolutionary perspective to understan
Stranger AnxietyStranger anxiety, or stranger wariness, is a common developmental stage characterized by distress or
Strategic Pluralism in Human MatingStrategic pluralism in human mating describes the evolutionary perspective that humans possess multi
Strong ReciprocityStrong reciprocity describes a predisposition to cooperate with others and punish non-cooperators, e
Supernatural Punishment HypothesisThe supernatural punishment hypothesis proposes that beliefs in powerful, moralistic deities or ance
Symons, DonaldDonald Symons is a foundational figure in evolutionary psychology, best known for his pioneering wor
Symons, DonaldDonald Symons is a foundational figure in the development of modern evolutionary psychology, particu
Synchronous Movement and DanceSynchronous movement and dance, characterized by coordinated rhythmic actions among individuals, are

Testosterone and Human BehaviorTestosterone, an androgenic steroid hormone, plays a significant role in the development and regulat
The Adaptationist ProgramThe adaptationist program is a research strategy in evolutionary biology that seeks to explain the t
The Challenge HypothesisThe Challenge Hypothesis posits that testosterone levels in males are not constantly high but rather
The Cognitive NicheThe cognitive niche hypothesis proposes that humans evolved to occupy a unique ecological niche defi
The Extended PhenotypeThe extended phenotype refers to the idea that an organism's phenotype is not limited to its physica
The Faculty of Language: Narrow and Broad (FLN/FLB)The Faculty of Language: Narrow and Broad (FLN/FLB) distinction, proposed by Hauser, Chomsky, and Fi
The Faculty of Language: Narrow and Broad (FLN/FLB) DistinctionThe Faculty of Language: Narrow and Broad (FLN/FLB) distinction, proposed by Hauser, Chomsky, and Fi
The Language InstinctThe concept of a "language instinct" posits that humans possess an innate, species-specific capacity
The Price EquationThe Price equation is a mathematical expression that describes how the average value of a trait in a
The Puzzle of Large-Scale CooperationThe puzzle of large-scale cooperation refers to the challenge of explaining how humans manage to coo
The Replication Crisis in Evolutionary PsychologyThe replication crisis refers to a systemic problem within scientific research where many published
The Selfish GeneThe 'selfish gene' concept, popularized by Richard Dawkins, posits that natural selection operates p
The Sociobiology ControversyThe sociobiology controversy refers to the intense academic and public debate ignited by the publica
The Spandrels PaperStephen Jay Gould and Richard Lewontin's 1979 paper, "The Spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian
The Trolley Problem in Evolutionary PerspectiveThe Trolley Problem is a series of thought experiments in ethics that explores intuitions about mora
Theory of MindTheory of Mind (ToM) refers to the cognitive capacity to attribute mental states—beliefs, desires, i
Third-party punishmentThird-party punishment refers to the act of an uninvolved observer imposing a cost on a transgressor
Thomas Henry HuxleyThomas Henry Huxley (1825–1895) was a prominent English biologist and anatomist, best known as a sta
Thrifty-gene hypothesisThe thrifty-gene hypothesis proposes that genes that were advantageous in environments characterized
Tinbergen's Four QuestionsTinbergen's four questions provide a foundational framework for understanding the causes of behavior
Tit-for-tatTit-for-tat is a strategy for repeated interactions in game theory, particularly the Prisoner's Dile
Tolerated TheftTolerated theft is a concept in evolutionary biology and economics that describes a situation where
Tooby and Cosmides' Replies to CriticsJohn Tooby and Leda Cosmides are foundational figures in evolutionary psychology, whose work on mass
Tragedy of the CommonsThe tragedy of the commons describes a situation where individual users, acting independently and ra
Trust and CooperationTrust and cooperation are fundamental social phenomena that have received significant attention with
Trust GameThe trust game is an experimental economics paradigm used to study the evolution and mechanisms of t
Twin StudiesTwin studies are a research methodology used to estimate the relative contributions of genetic and e

Ultimate vs. Proximate CausationThe distinction between ultimate and proximate causation, introduced by Ernst Mayr, is fundamental t
Ultimatum GameThe Ultimatum Game is an experimental economics paradigm used to study human decision-making, partic
Unit of SelectionThe unit of selection refers to the level of biological organization upon which natural selection ac
Universal GrammarUniversal Grammar (UG) refers to the innate linguistic knowledge or set of principles and parameters
Universal Morality and RelativismThe debate over universal morality and relativism concerns whether moral principles are objective an

Vengeance and FeudVengeance and feud refer to retaliatory actions taken in response to perceived wrongs, often involvi
Vertical Cultural TransmissionVertical cultural transmission refers to the process by which cultural information, including belief
Vignette MethodologyVignette methodology involves presenting participants with short, hypothetical scenarios (vignettes)
Virulence EvolutionVirulence evolution examines how pathogens evolve their harmfulness to hosts, a key area of evolutio
Vocal Learning EvolutionVocal learning is the ability to acquire and produce novel vocalizations through imitation, a rare t
Voice AttractivenessVoice attractiveness refers to the qualities of the human voice that are perceived as desirable by l

Waist-to-hip ratio researchResearch into waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) explores its role as a potential signal of fertility and heal
Wartime Sexual ViolenceWartime sexual violence refers to acts of sexual aggression committed during armed conflict, often a
Wason Selection TaskThe Wason Selection Task is a classic problem in the psychology of reasoning, originally designed to
Wayfinding StrategiesWayfinding strategies encompass the cognitive and behavioral processes organisms use to navigate the
WEIRD SamplesWEIRD samples refer to research participants drawn from Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and
Wilson, MargoMargo Wilson (1942-2009) was a pioneering evolutionary psychologist whose work, often in collaborati
Wilson, MargoMargo Wilson (1942–2009) was a pioneering evolutionary psychologist whose work, often in collaborati
Witchcraft Accusations Across CulturesWitchcraft accusations, a recurring phenomenon across diverse human societies, are examined through
Within-group vs. between-group violenceViolence, a pervasive feature of human societies, can be broadly categorized by whether it occurs be
Working Memory and Evolved CapacityWorking memory refers to the cognitive system responsible for temporarily holding and manipulating i
Wright, RobertRobert Wright is an American journalist and author known for popularizing evolutionary psychology an

Young-male syndromeYoung-male syndrome refers to a cluster of behavioral patterns, primarily observed in human males du