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Relations (1)
related 2.32 — strongly supporting 4 facts
Cheater detection is a core cognitive mechanism studied within the field of evolutionary psychology, as evidenced by its inclusion in the discipline's adaptive problem set [1] and its status as a flagship research example [2]. Furthermore, critics of evolutionary psychology specifically target the empirical validity of research conducted on cheater detection to challenge the field's broader claims [3], [4].
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Evolutionary Psychology | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy iep.utm.edu 4 facts
claimDavid Buller argues that psychological experiments used to establish hypothesized cognitive mechanisms in current Homo sapiens are flawed because the data are exiguous, inconclusive, and do not support the claims made by Evolutionary Psychologists, specifically citing studies by Cosmides and Tooby, Buss, and Daly and Wilson on cheater detection, mating strategies, jealousy, and discriminative parenthood.
referenceDavid Buller (2005) argues in 'Adapting Minds: Evolutionary Psychology and the Persistent Quest for Human Nature' that the empirical tests used by Evolutionary Psychologists to establish cognitive adaptations in areas like cheater detection, mating, marriage, and parenthood are flawed.
claimCosmides and Tooby’s research on cheater detection is considered a flagship example of Evolutionary Psychology.
claimEvolutionary Psychology focuses on adaptations that evolved in response to characteristically human adaptive problems faced by hunter-gatherers during the Pleistocene, such as choosing a mate, recognizing emotional expressions, acquiring language, distinguishing kin, detecting cheaters, and remembering the location of edible plants.