A proposed taxonomy of human evolved psychological adaptations.

Abstract

This paper discusses the need for a comprehensive taxonomy of human evolved psychological adaptations (EPAs). The classification system tentatively proposed here, a Functional Table of Human Evolved Psychological Adaptations, categorizes EPA taxa according to their corresponding mechanisms of evolutionary change (e.g. natural, sexual, and kin selection). Space is also included for each EPA taxon’s neurolocalization and neurochemical substrates, putative functions in the ancestral environment, elicitors, and outputs. Schmitt and Pilcher's interdisciplinary diagnostic criteria for evaluating evidence of psychological adaptation are also utilized in this taxonomy to describe each EPA's corresponding evidentiary breadth and depth for quality control purposes. The hypothesis-generation and didactic functions of this taxonomy and its organizing structures are also discussed.