Question

Evolutionary Psychology

Natural Selection:

·         Among the range of inherited trait variations, those that lead to increased reproduction and survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations.

·         Organisms that best adapt to their environments are most likely to survive and reproduce

(1)    Let us pretend that trait variation in earlier eons produced a genetic pre-disposition toward a highly mobile swan neck in one or a few human beings. Describe conditions under which the neck might have become prominent in people today.

(2)    Describe the conditions under which the neck might have disappeared.

Answer 1

1). A swan neck deformity is a musculoskeletal disorder in which the affects the finger joints and results in acquiring them a swan neck appearance.

The swan might have become prominent (selected trait) in people if it offers protection against any other life threatening disease (because the traits that enhance survival are positively selected by natural selection)

2). Swan neck might have disappeared if it increase the chances of death before reproduction (traits that reduce reproduction rate are negatively selected by natural selection)