Criticism Of Evolutionary Psychology
From its beginning, evolutionary psychology (EP) has generated substantial controversy and criticism. Criticisms include 1) disputes about the testability of evolutionary hypotheses, 2) alternatives to some of the cognitive assumptions (such as massive modularity) frequently employed in evolutionary psychology, 3) claimed vagueness stemming from evolutionary assumptions (e.g. uncertainty about the environment of evolutionary adaptation, EEA), 4) differing stress on the importance of non-genetic and non-adaptive explanations, as well as 5) political and ethical issues.
Evolutionary psychologists respond by arguing that many of these criticisms are straw men, are based on an incorrect nature vs. nurture dichotomy, or are based on misunderstandings of the discipline.
Read more about Criticism Of Evolutionary Psychology: History of The Debate, Massive Modularity, Fear and Phobias As Innate or Learnt, Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness, Testability, Ethnocentrism, Reductionism and Determinism, Behaviors That Reduce Reproductive Success, Political and Ethical Issues
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... See also Evolutionary ethics Part of the controversy has consisted in each side accusing the other of holding or supporting extreme political viewpoints ... Many critics have alleged that evolutionary psychology and sociobiology are nothing more than political justifications for the "status quo." Evolutionary ... Evolutionary psychology critics have argued that researchers use their research to promote a right-wing agenda ...
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