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The importance of comparative and phylogenetic analyses in the study of adaptation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2003

James R. Roney
Affiliation:
Institute for Mind and Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637 jrroney@midway.uchicago.edudario@uchicago.edu http://primate.uchicago.edu/jim.htm http://primate.uchicago.edu/dario.htm
Dario Maestripieri
Affiliation:
Institute for Mind and Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637 jrroney@midway.uchicago.edudario@uchicago.edu http://primate.uchicago.edu/jim.htm http://primate.uchicago.edu/dario.htm

Abstract

Homology can provide strong evidence against exapted learning mechanism (ELM) explanations for psychological and behavioral traits. Homologous traits are constructed by commonly inherited developmental mechanisms. As such, demonstration of homology for a trait argues for its construction by an inherited rather than an exapted developmental process. We conclude that comparative evidence can play an important evidentiary role within evolutionary psychology.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press

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