Evolutionary Perspective

Like other living things, people are the products of millions of years of evolution.

The evolutionary approach suggests that many of our physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual
characteristics and tendencies exist because they were useful or even essential in enabling our ancestors
to survive and reproduce more successfully than their competitors. In other words, such characteristics
and tendencies were adaptive; helping us to adapt to survive.

It is important to realise that evolutionary processes build on, or modify, what is already there – they
cannot start from scratch. The changes brought about by evolution are a bit like remodelling your home
over time. You may have installed electricity in your ancient cottage, but the low beam at the bottom of
the stairs is part of the core structure of the building and cannot be removed. So, though you need to
bend a bit to avoid banging your head on it, you just have to live with it. In the same way, we retain a
great deal of the machinery and modes of operation of many of our ancestors. For instance, parts of our
brain, particularly those parts associated with emotions have a similar structure and organisation to that
of many other animals.

You’re able to compare, analyze, recognize patterns, and develop concepts based on the framework
you’ve inherited.

The evolutionary perspective relates to the way that cognitive behaviors go through the process of
natural selection just as the human body has done.

The evolutionary perspective in psychology can offer valuable insights into understanding human
behavior and social work practices. It looks at how human behavior has evolved over time and how
certain behaviors or traits may have developed to enhance survival and reproduction.

The evolutionary perspective involves examining human behavior, cognition, emotions, and social
interactions through the lens of evolutionary processes. It seeks to understand how certain behaviors or
traits might have originated and persisted due to their adaptive value in ancestral environments.

Examples of behaviors explained by evolutionary psychology

Example 1

Sadness- make individuals abandon unhelpful ways of behaving or of doing things

It has been suggested that sadness can be useful in some circumstances and hence have an ‘adaptive’
function. For example, it might make individuals reconsider problems such as failed goals, and lead them
to abandon unhelpful ways of behaving or of doing things (e.g. Oatley and Johnson-Laird, 1987). To use a
physical analogy, pain is unpleasant and aversive but is considered adaptive as it can benefit an injured
individual by preventing further harm or damage.

Example 2

Startling as an instinctual reaction

When Mary walks into the science lab she sees one of her friends standing at a table. Her friend does
not see her so she decides to walk up and startle them. She wants to make sure they don’t hear her
coming so she makes sure to walk very quietly and gets behind them before they realize she is there. She
then reaches out and puts her hand on her friends back. The sudden action makes her friend jump and
scream in surprise because she thought she was alone.

This is an example of evolutionary psychology as well because the instinct to jump and scream at a
sudden change is just that, instinct. Marcy’s friend never learned to be afraid when someone startles
her; this is an instinctual reaction that everyone has. It was learned in ancient times because of the
inherent dangers everywhere. This trait has aided in the survival of the human race and, as such, it has
continued to be passed down through natural selection into modern times.

Example 3

Empathy

In an ancient community, empathy may have allowed for a greater understanding of others, contributing
to stronger relationships and more cooperation to ensure everyone’s well-being.

As empathy continued to be a beneficial trait practiced by one generation and the next, it eventually
made its way to you.

Now, when you’re faced with the choice of helping someone or turning away, your evolutionary
inclination toward empathy may encourage you to put yourself in other people’s shoes and help.

Example 4

Partner selection preferences

Reproduction and survival are interlinked.

Back in the day, choosing a partner most likely meant picking someone who displayed specific behaviors
and traits that protected and supported the survival of the community and offspring.

Evolutionary psychology would say that your current partner selections may be influenced by the choices
that your ancestor clan tended to repeat more often.

Example 5

Dislike of dishonesty

Why is dishonesty so distasteful? Maybe because trust was important in a primitive community where
people had to rely on one another to survive.

If someone can’t trust you, they might be less likely to share with you or offer you social support.

Feeling anxious

Borden indicates that evolutionary psychology can account for certain negative emotions, like anxiety.
“Sometimes, certain experiences passed down from generations and growing up in a certain culture can
more greatly influence these genetic dispositions,” she says. “This is why some individuals may have
higher levels of anxiety.”

An example of this may be growing up in a culture that has a long history of unpredictability or facing
greater dangers. You may find you’re naturally more anxious, wary, and reserved even though you may
not have experienced anything personally. Anxiety may have become a protective trait to face
unpredictability.

Evolutionary Perspective in Social Work

In social work, this perspective can be applied in various ways:

Understanding Behavior: Evolutionary psychology helps in comprehending why certain behaviors exist.
For instance, it can explain the roots of altruism or cooperation, as behaviors that might have evolved to
benefit social groups.

Family Dynamics: Exploring evolutionary theories can shed light on family structures and dynamics.
Understanding kin selection, parental investment, and mate selection can be crucial in addressing issues
related to family systems, parenting, and relationships.

The basic principle of Kin Selection is to benefit somebody who is genetically related, for example by
sharing food. For the altruistic individual, this means a reduction of its own fitness by increasing the
fitness of its relative. However, the closer the recipient is related to the altruist, the more likely he shares
the altruistic genes. The loss of fitness can be compensated since the genes of the altruistically behaving
agent have then the chance to be spread indirectly through the recipient: The relative might be able to
reproduce and pass the altruistic genes over to the next generation.

In principle, the disadvantage for the giver should always be less than the increased fitness of the
addressee.

Conflict and Cooperation: It provides insights into conflicts within communities or between individuals.
Evolutionary theories suggest that competition and cooperation are both natural behaviors and
understanding this balance can help in resolving conflicts or fostering cooperation in communities.

Example - Competition for Resources: In the context of resource scarcity, evolutionary perspectives help
explain conflicts over resources. Throughout history, competition for land, food, or mates has led to
conflicts between groups. This evolutionary inclination to compete for limited resources can still
influence societal dynamics and even conflicts between communities or nations.

Resilience and Coping Mechanisms: The perspective can aid in understanding how certain coping
mechanisms or resilience strategies have evolved over time, helping social workers assist individuals in
developing effective coping mechanisms.
Example - Social Support Networks: Evolutionary psychology highlights the importance of social
connections for survival. Resilience often stems from strong social support networks, an evolved
mechanism where individuals can seek emotional and material aid during difficult times. For instance,
after a natural disaster, communities coming together to support each other aligns with this evolved
coping mechanism.

Intervention Strategies: By understanding the evolved mechanisms behind certain behaviors, social
workers can tailor interventions that align with human nature. For example, recognizing the importance
of social support in humans can influence the design of support groups or community-based
interventions.

However, it's essential to note that while evolutionary psychology provides valuable insights, it's not
the sole lens through which social work operates. Social work is a multidimensional field that integrates
various perspectives (biological, psychological, sociological, etc.) to comprehend and address human
issues comprehensively.

The evolutionary perspective in social work is a tool that, when used in conjunction with other
psychological and sociological theories, enriches the understanding of human behavior and aids in
developing more effective interventions to support individuals and communities.