| CODE | LAS2058 | ||||||
| TITLE | The Biology of Well-being: Evolutionary Insights and Solutions | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | H - Higher Level | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Living poses a number of problems. As we struggle to cope with “adaptive problems” – securing food, fighting off disease, and caring for the young – we also have to fight back the effects of behavioural responses of evolved psychological mechanisms – think of fears and anxieties, conflict, violence and aggression, weight gain, inequalities and discrimination, and failure in personal and business relationships. Biology has the answer to some of our psychological distress. Building on the theoretical foundations and principles of evolutionary psychology (previously known as human socio-biology), this module offers explanations as to how these mechanisms form part of a universal human nature, and how understanding the biological basis of these evolved behavioural responses can offer us insights and solutions for our lives. In this study-unit, following an introduction to evolutionary biology and psychology, as well as an overview of the nature of adaptive problems and solutions, we explore topics and phenomena that are of relevance to human socio-biology – aggression, conflict, leadership, maternity, depression, altruism and cooperation, communication and language, friendship, morality, etc., all with an emphasis on how these behaviours can be read to provide solutions to wellbeing. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the basic principles of evolutionary theory and evolutionary psychology, and how selection pressures have shaped the human adapted mind; - Explain the evolutionary psychological fundamentals of phenomena such as aggression, conflict, leadership, maternity, depression, altruism and cooperation, language and communication, friendship, morality, etc.; - Describe the mechanisms behind these phenomena, and recognise the value of adaptations by natural and sexual selection, as well as how these adaptations can lead to suffering and disorders on one hand, and natural advantage, biological fitness, and wellbeing on the other; - Discuss human behaviour in terms of emotions and individual and group behaviour and how different strategies can be chosen for a life that is less psychologically distressing and more consistent with the wellbeing of living in awareness of natural instincts and environmental influence. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify and apply fundamental principles and skills in evolutionary biology and psychology to common issues, conditions and phenomena, such as aggression, conflict, leadership, maternity, depression, altruism and cooperation, language, friendship, morality, etc.; - Design their personal space and strategies in order to lead a more balanced and successful life across all domains – family, friendships, careers, and business. - Be aware of and estimate the cost-benefit of specific situations that could either lead to new opportunities or that can create conflict and stress, and be equipped with insights to choose and adopt the most feasible behaviour. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - BUSS, D. M., 2015. Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind. Fifth Edition. USA: Taylor & Francis. - MILLER, G., 2009. Spent. Sex, Evolution and Consumer Behavior. USA: Penguin Books. - CAMPBELL, A., 2002. A Mind of Her Own: The Evolutionary Psychology of Women. Second Edition. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. - WILSON, E. O., 2004. On Human Nature Second Edition. USA: Harvard University Press. - BARKOW, J. H., COSMIDES, L. and TOOBY, J. (Editors), 1995. The Adapted Mind: Evolutionary Psychology and the Generation of Culture. New York: Oxford University Press. Supplementary Readings: - WILSON, E. O., 2000. Sociobiology: The New Synthesis. 25th Anniversary Edition. USA: Harvard University Press. - MILLER, G., 2001. The Mating Mind. How Sexual Choice Shaped the Evolution of Human Nature. Great Britain: Vintage. - PINKER, S., 2002. The Blank Slate. The Modern Denial of Human Nature. USA: Penguin Books. - BROWNE, K., R., 2002. Biology at Work: Rethinking Sexual Equality. USA: Rutgers University Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Sonya Sammut |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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