Brain Development Consequences
Increased energy requirements
Muscle atrophy
Premature birth adaptations
Extended childhood dependency
Advanced language capabilities
Reflexive Behaviors
Grasping reflex
Rooting reflex
Crying mechanism
Social bonding behaviors
Interest to novelty
Infant Reflexes:
Babies are born with a number of reflexes – simple, automatic responses to specific stimuli. Example, all infants will suck something put to their lips, this reflex enhances their chances of survival aiding by nursing
A desire to explore and manipulate
babies shake rattles, bang pots, and grasp whatever is put into their hands. For humans the natural impulse to handle interesting objects can be overwhelming.
what reflexs of babies
desire to explore and manioulate
impulse to play
basic cognative ablities
grasping reflex
rooting reflex
laughing
behavior to attract attention
An impulse to play and fool around
Many species enjoy play, including humans enjoy practice play, behavior that will be used for serious purposes when they are adults.
Basic Cognitive Abilities:
People are born with an ability to quickly respond to the environment. We have the inborn capacity to learn certain things such as language
Grasping reflex
human babies are remarkably strong, being able to support their own weight with the grasping reflex. This innate behavior seems to reflect the fact that primates used to have fur, and grasping allowed the newborn to attach itself to the mother.
Rooting Reflex:
Touching/stroking the corner of a baby’s mouth leads to a head turn, opening of mouth, pursuit of and root into direction of stroking. This helps babies to find breasts to start feeding.
An inborn behavior to attract attention from caregivers:
Crying is a well coordinated and highly effective inborn behavior
Crying is very complex requiring many muscles
Its a form of primal communication, but it is highly effective of achieving outcomes
Its one of the best tools a baby has available for survival
Spatial and social behaviours:
Children love to build such as forts and hideaways
Most humans prefer to sit with a back against a wall
In an empty room a human usually occupies first the corners
We prefer to look for higher lookouts or dwellings
Social Behavior
stretching out hand in primates and humans signals initiation of contract
Body contracts signals
Humans like gentle touch such as pet
Piloerection:
Makes the hair stand up, For social signalling raised fur makes animals appear larger and more threatening, for humans we get goosebumps because we don’t have enough hair.
Human Heritage:
Sociobiologists think males and females evolved different behaviors, like levels of aggression, dominance, and mating strategies, because they faced different survival and reproduction challenges.
What is the challenge of stereotypes versus actual behavior?
Human behavior often doesn’t match stereotypes of promiscuous males and choosy females. In many species, females are sexually active and may have many partners.
What is the challenge of what people say vs what they do?
People’s responses in surveys/interviews (e.g., saying they want attractive partners) don’t always match real-life choices, where emotional and social aspects matter more.
What is the challenge of convenience versus representative samples?
Many studies use non-probability sampling (people who are easy to reach, like students or passersby), which may not represent the whole population.
What is heritability?
A statistical estimate of how much variation in a trait within a group is due to genetic differences.
Example of a highly heritable trait?
Height — most variation within a well-nourished group is explained by genes.
Example of a low heritable trait?
Table manners — variation is mostly due to upbringing, not genetics.
How can the environment nurture mental ability?
By providing good nutrition, education, stimulation, and supportive family/social surroundings, which help develop intelligence and learning.
How can the environment thwart mental ability?
Through poverty, malnutrition, lack of education, stress, or neglect, which can limit cognitive growth and mental performance.
Phylogenetically Preserved Traits
Piloerection (hair standing on end)
Emotional response mechanisms
Facial expression recognition
what are darwinsevolution theory
rapid multipliaction
limited enviormental resources
struggle for existence
genetic variation
variation/mutation
survival of the fittest
inheritnece of useful variation
