Biology 338: Lecture 8Spring 1997

Behavioral Evolution: Adaptationist Approach

  1. Definitions of adaptation
    1. Criteria
      1. Historical genesis
      2. Current utility
    2. Defintions
      1. Gould and Vrba
      2. Williams and Thornhill
      3. Sherman and Blankespoor

  2. Adaptationist hypothesis

  3. Testing the adaptationist hypothesis
    1. Observations
    2. Experimental manipulations
    3. Simultaneous testing of multiple hypotheses
    4. Compartive method
    5. Cost/benefit analyses
      1. Optimal theory
      2. Game theory and ESS (evolutionary stable strategies)

  4. Debating the adaptationist approach
    1. Criticisms
    2. Responses to criticisms

  5. Value and prevalence of the adaptationist approach