Evolutionary Psychology

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Evolutionary Psychology

  • Host University

    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

  • Location

    Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  • Area of Study

    Psychology

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

  • Course Level Recommendations

    Upper

    ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.

    Hours & Credits

  • ECTS Credits

    6
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    4
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    3
  • Overview

    COURSE OBJECTIVE
    The course will introduce students to the main concepts, theories and studies in the growing discipline of Evolutionary Psychology. The goal is to give students insight into topics central in Psychology from an Evolutionary point of view. Central in this course is whether certain behaviors could be the results of an evolved adaptation to solve problems that our ancestors faced. Possible costs and benefits of these suspected adaptations will then be discussed.

    During the course we will provide some insights into the following questions:

    • Why do we have such big brains?
    • Why do men want to have sex sooner than women?
    • Why do we help others?
    • Why do we make war?

    COURSE CONTENT
    This course shows students how to explain human behavior from an evolutionary perspective. During the course we will use this perspective to explain sexuality, cooperation, parenting, aggression, and cognition. The course consists of lectures and students will also do several assignments to practice evolutionary theorizing.

    TEACHING METHODS
    Lectures and assignments.

    TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
    Exam with 60 multiple choice questions (80% of grade) and two open-ended questions (20% of grade). The assignments may also count for a small percentage of the final grade.

Course Disclaimer

Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.

Some courses may require additional fees.

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