Charles Darwin revolutionized biology by offering natural selection as an explanation for how physical characteristics of species evolved. How has his work influenced contemporary psychology?
A) It shows that the biological approach to studying psychology is most important.
B) Natural selection has encouraged people to think more scientifically in general.
C) Evolutionary thought shows that psychology must be limited to study of humans.
D) Darwin applied his theory to behaviors such as emotional expressions, showing that natural selection is an important factor in understanding psychology.

Question

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Darwin's application of natural selection to behaviors such as emotional expressions shows that natural selection is an important factor in understanding psychology. This has influenced contemporary psychology by encouraging researchers to consider the evolutionary origins of behaviors and traits in humans and other animals. This approach is known as evolutionary psychology and is based on the idea that many human behaviors and traits have evolved over time because they conferred reproductive advantages to our ancestors.

Charles Darwin Revolutionized Biology by Offering Natural Selection as an Explanation