Changes

The 1970s brought about the first recognizably modern research in evolutionary psychology. One significant development was the publication by evolutionary biologist [[Robert Trivers]] on his theories of [[reciprocal altruism]], [[parental investment theory]], and [[parent-offspring conflict]]. All of these ideas made use of Williams' and Hamilton's work. Another important event was [[E.O. Wilson]]'s publication of [[Sociobiology]]. Wilson's work attempted to explain such mysterious of evolution as the [[peacock's tail]] and the social structure of [[ants]]. He also advocated the explanations he found be applied to human behavior. His ideas were highly controversial and received a lot of political backlash, though the scientific community was mostly positive.  

The 1970s brought about the first recognizably modern research in evolutionary psychology. One significant development was the publication by evolutionary biologist [[Robert Trivers]] on his theories of [[reciprocal altruism]], [[parental investment theory]], and [[parent-offspring conflict]]. All of these ideas made use of Williams' and Hamilton's work. Another important event was [[E.O. Wilson]]'s publication of [[Sociobiology]]. Wilson's work attempted to explain such mysterious of evolution as the [[peacock's tail]] and the social structure of [[ants]]. He also advocated the explanations he found be applied to human behavior. His ideas were highly controversial and received a lot of political backlash, though the scientific community was mostly positive.  

In many ways sociobiology is evolutionary psychology, with the size of the political pressure and negative press surrounding sociobiology the term got dropped in the early 80s. Many students and proponents started using the term evolutionary psychology. This would become the accepted phrase.  

In many ways sociobiology is very similar to evolutionary psychology, but with the size of the political pressure and negative press surrounding sociobiology the term fell out of favor in the early 80s. Focus shifted from studying the evolutionary adaptiveness of specific behaviors, to studying the adaptiveness of the mechanisms which produce those behaviors. Many students and proponents started using the term evolutionary psychology. This would become the more accepted phrase.

Most of the early work focused on demonstrating that the core belief in a universal human nature that could be elucidated from an evolutionary perspective was a viable idea. [[David Buss]] did a cross cultural study that examined 32 groups all over the world to show that there was a gender difference in preferences for short-term mates, but remarkable similarity for long-term mates. This prediction actually stemmed from evolutionary ideas of Trivers and concepts such as [[Bateman's principle]]. This dataset was also important because it showed that even a diverse range of cultures shared a common psychology.  

Most of the early work focused on demonstrating that the core belief in a universal human nature that could be elucidated from an evolutionary perspective was a viable idea. [[David Buss]] did a cross cultural study that examined 32 groups all over the world to show that there was a gender difference in preferences for short-term mates, but remarkable similarity for long-term mates. This prediction actually stemmed from evolutionary ideas of Trivers and concepts such as [[Bateman's principle]]. This dataset was also important because it showed that even a diverse range of cultures shared a common psychology.  

By the 1990s the field had expanded considerably and gained a lot of recognition. Several Journals dedicated to evolutionary psychological research were started including [[Evolution and Human Behavior]] which is run by the [[Human Behavior and Evolution Society]].  

By the 1990s the field had expanded considerably and gained a lot of recognition. Several Journals dedicated to evolutionary psychological research were started including [[Evolution and Human Behavior]] which is run by the [[Human Behavior and Evolution Society]].

==Basics of the field==

==Basics of the field==