Positive Evolutionary Psychology

Abstract

Abstract To this point in the history of the behavioral sciences, the fields of evolutionary psychology and positive psychology have progressed independently. Evolutionary psychology holds the basic scientific goal of illuminating causes of behavior by using evolutionary concepts. Positive psychology holds the applied scientific goal of shedding light on processes that cultivate positive growth at both the individual and community levels. This chapter discusses the new field of positive evolutionary psychology, which seeks to synergize these fields by carving out an approach to researching questions that bear on advancing the goals of positive psychology by relying on concepts and research from the field of evolutionary psychology. Using an evolutionarily informed framework holds the key to best understanding such positive psychological issues as happiness, love, and the psychology of cooperation.