Evolutionary Psychologists say that men generally prefer to mate with younger women because of the increased chances of healthy babies. Ashton Kutcher is 31, and Demi Moore is 46, and you can probably think of other examples counter to the evolutionary psychologists argument. What does this say about the validity of evolution, and of efforts to explain psychological processes through evolutionary processes?
A. It provides evidence that evolution is false.
B. It says nothing about physical evolution but suggests that human psychology is not affected by evolution.
C. It says nothing about the validity of evolution as an explanation for physical or psychological processes.
D. It is “the exception that proves the rule.”
Answer: C. It says nothing about the validity of evolution as an explanation for physical or psychological processes.
Rationale: Evolutionary psychology has never argued that all people everywhere follow any kind of behavior or thought patterns. Instead, “evolutionary psychologists are perfectly aware that humans are an inextricable mélange of their genes and idiosyncratic life experiences” (Dr. Gad Saad, The Never-Ending Misconceptions About Evolutionary Psychology. June 22, 2009). When evolutionary psychologists say that something is “universal”, they mean that it is common to all human cultures, and is on average true. Thus, the anecdotal example provided here does not provide any evidence either in support of or in refutation of evolutionary arguments to explain psychological phenomena.
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Fill in the blank(s) with correct word
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