The fully revised fifth edition of this highly acclaimed undergraduate textbook provides a thought-provoking introduction to evolutionary psychology, while assuming no prior knowledge of evolutionary theory. The authors continue to carefully guide students towards a level of understanding where they can critically apply evolutionary theory to psychological explanation, providing an engaging and balanced discussion of the field. New material has been added on female homosexuality, artificial intelligence and language, cooking and human brain expansion, Covid-19 and rates of evolutionary change, and the effects of digital media on mental health. This edition also has new and revised boxed case studies, many new figures, extra discussion questions, and additional further reading suggestions. The text is accompanied by online resources including an updated test bank and lecture slides, as well as new answers to the end-of-chapter questions. This is essential reading for students taking undergraduate and graduate courses in evolutionary psychology.
Preface
Foreword
1. Introduction to evolutionary psychology
2. Principles of evolutionary change
3. Sexual selection
4. The evolution of human mate choice
5. Cognitive development, modularity and innateness
6. Social development and morality
7. The evolutionary psychology of social behaviour: kin relationships and conflict
8. The evolutionary psychology of social behaviour: reciprocity and conflict
9. Evolution, thought and cognition
10. The evolution of language
11. The evolution of emotion
12. Evolutionary psychopathology and Darwinian medicine
13. Evolution and individual differences
14. The evolution of culture
Glossary
References
Index
Lance Workman is a Visiting Professor of Psychology at the University of South Wales. He was previously Head of Psychology at Bath Spa University, and for seven years was the interviews editor for The Psychologist. His teaching and research interests are in biological and evolutionary psychology, and he has published widely on both human and animal behaviour. Workman regularly comments on developments in psychology in the media, making over 1000 appearances in the last thirty years, and has hosted his own series on psychology for Radio Wales.
Will Reader is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University. His research interests and publications include the relationship between evolution and technology (particularly social media and the internet), and education research and human-computer interaction. He has twice won awards for inspirational teaching. He has presented his work on evolution and social media at both academic conferences and to members of the business community, and enjoys writing blogs on evolution and psychology.
Reviews of the fourth edition:
"This is a clearly written, well-organized and massively comprehensive introduction to evolutionary psychology. Disciplinary boundaries are kept loose, and Workman and Reader do not hesitate to discuss adjacent fields when these are relevant. There is a reassuringly friendly tone to the textbook, and readers always know that the authors are on their side, anticipating difficulties and helpfully resolving them as one reads along."
– Jerome H. Barkow, Dalhousie University, Canada
"To paraphrase the great molecular biologist and Nobel laureate Jacques Monod, 'A curious aspect of evolutionary psychology is that everybody thinks he understands it'. This book by Workman and Reader enables just that for everyone. Among the many strengths of this highly recommended undergraduate textbook are that it is simple, clear and well written, and it introduces important topics in evolutionary psychology without any need of prior knowledge in the field."
– Damjan Franjevic, University of Zagreb, Croatia
"Workman and Reader present evolutionary psychology as a useful perspective for understanding the way the human mind functions today in light of our species' history. The strengths of this textbook include the attractive box sections containing discussions of particularly interesting theories and research results, as well as the vivid, engaging narrative that makes the content accessible not only to psychologists but also to anyone interested in the social sciences."
– Łukasz Jach, University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
"The fourth edition of Evolutionary Psychology by Lance Workman and Will Reader is the continuation of a proven formula: it's easy and pleasant to read, and it provides all the basic information in the field. However, this edition also contains a few important changes: many chapters have been updated with new theories and data from empirical research, and the visual materials are refreshed, extended and printed in colour. I highly recommend this textbook."
– Sylwester Orzechowski, University of Wrocław, Poland
"Lance Workman and Will Reader provide an excellent overview of evolutionary psychology in the latest instalment of this textbook. Over fourteen well-written and balanced chapters, they explore key themes relating to how the mind may be shaped through evolution. This textbook is ideally suited for undergraduate students, as well as people interested in an introduction to the field."
– Thomas Alrik Sørensen, Aalborg University, Denmark
"Psychology remains in a fragmented state, desperately in need of integration across its sub-disciplines, and this work can provide just such integration. With the organizing framework of evolutionary psychology, it illuminates links between this perspective and cognitive, social, developmental and biological psychologies. Concepts are very well explained, and it contains beautiful illustrations. Criticisms of evolutionary psychology are discussed and addressed in a well-balanced way. I welcome and can strongly recommend this fourth edition, which carries the torch of the earlier very successful editions."
– Frederick Toates, The Open University, UK
"Now in its fourth edition, Evolutionary Psychology remains a must-read book for anyone interested in what it means to be human. Drawing on a dazzling range of data and ideas, it presents a brilliant synthesis for students, specialists and the public alike."
– Simon Underdown, Oxford Brookes University, UK