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Evolution
The change in heritable traits of a species over time
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Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
Suggests that those who adapt best to environmental challenges will have a greater chance of passing on their genes to the next generations; aka survival of the fittest.
- the adaption of organisms to the environment such as developed reflexes like disgust or fear, preserves the genes in order for the species to survive in a particular environment
- in essence, if behavior exists in humans today, then it must have, in the past, helped in human survival and reproduction for us to have inherited it.
certain behaviors can be explained by examining their evolutionary origins and identifying their ability to enhance survival
- disgust is considered a basic behavior that is hard-wired to promote survival
- it prevents us from engaging with a potentially dangerous or unpleasant stimulus; is the feeling of repulsion in response to offensive stimuli and manifests itself into avoidance behavior
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Behavior
Disgust
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Study Used
Curtis et al. (1996): evolutionary explanation for disgust