Evolution in Mind: An Introduction to Evolutionary Psychology

by Henry Plotkin

Book Overview

Mind" vividly demonstrates how an evolutionary perspective helps us understand what we are, and how we got that way.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0674001958
• ISBN13: 9780674001954
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Length: 276 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.7" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Intellectually challenging--not for wimps or softies!

This stimulating and intellectually challenging book is not for everyone, and in particular not for those who are looking for entertaining anecdotes and an effortless read. Plotkin himself is a true scholar who reads widely and with a profound understanding. He knows which pieces are relevant to the puzzles he is solving, and he lets you look over his shoulder as he puts all the pieces together. Give him a C+ for entertainment, if you must, but give him an A for enlightenment.

A rare balanced critical review of a complex new field

Psychology is a discipline that has always struggled to convince the `hard' sciences that it is actually a member of the same club. It has taken many years of emphasis on precise methodology, careful statistics, multiple replications - and the exacting application of the Popperian principles of falsification and the hypothetico-deductive method - to make its point. Finally, and perhaps with some residual reluctance, psychology has (mostly) been admitted to the science club.However, this hard-gained reputation is at risk. Evolutionary psychology is the latest application of the compelling logic of Darwinism to a new field. Writers and researchers such as Pinker, Dawkins and Buss put forward an unending stream of theorising, some interesting, some frankly `so what'. But is it science?Scientific method post-Popper depends significantly upon the principle of falsification. Many books explain the principle, but in essence, the predictions derived from hypotheses must be subject not only to confirmation but also to disproof.Unfortunately, a look through the available textbooks in evolutionary psychology reveals scant emphasis on methodology, and a generally uncritical approach to their own findings. Buss's `Evolutionary Psychology' in particular is an example; there is a chapter on methodology, but little consideration of how theoretical predictions in evolutionary psychology might be falsified. Perhaps you, dear reader, would like to ponder how this could be done?Plotkin's excellent short review introduces most areas of evolutionary psychology in a critical light. As such, it serves as a useful counterbalance to the enthusiastic but uncritical approach of many books in this field. Plotkin is very familiar with evolutionary psychology, and makes clear his view that sociobiology has proved its point in animal studies. The jury is still out on the application of the theories to humans. There are other formidable critics of sociobiology, such as Lewontin and Rose, but only Plotkin has the psychological background to directly address evolutionary psychology.A very good book. Buy it. If you are a student of evolutionary psychology and need a balanced view, definitely buy it. There's nothing else.