Researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa studying the adaptiveness of infant temperaments found that difficult, cranky babies do worse in times of plenty; these children create a lot of stress for their parents and are more likely to be neglected or abused than babies with calm, more even temperaments. In times of drought, however, babies with cranky temperaments are the ones most likely to survive because they demand more attention from their caregivers (de Vries, 1984). This example shows that we can judge the adaptiveness of a baby's temperament only in relation to the environment within which that temperament is expressed. What theory are these researchers most likely using?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The example illustrates the principle of evolutionary psychology, which focuses on how evolutionary principles such as natural selection shape behaviors and traits to adapt to the environment. In this case, the adaptiveness of infant temperaments is seen as a function of their survival value in different environmental conditions.

Researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa Studying the Adaptiveness of Infant Temperaments