It combines two sciences,psychologyand biology.
This became known asfunctionalismwhich defines mental states by their function.
Proponents of this psychological approach posit that our ancestors confronted problems and developed ways of solving them.
Science Picture Co / Getty Images
Those who had more problem-solving skills would be more likely to survive.
In addition,aggressive behaviorsmay have been necessary when people had to compete for resources or mates.
They root, suck, grasp, and cry.
Fear and disgust are two of the earliest basic emotions that emerge in babies.
Phobias are fears that are irrational and that go beyond protecting you from danger.
Cosmides L, Tooby J.Evolutionary psychology: New perspectives on cognition and motivation.Annu Rev Psychol.
2015;47(7):702-709. doi:10.1038/ng.3285
Tooby J, Cosmides L.The past explains the present.Ethology and Sociobiology.
2013;16(6):864-878. doi:10.1111%2Fdesc.12058
Gibson EJ, Walk RD.The visual cliff.Scientific American.
1960;202(4):64-71.
