Evolutionary Perspectives on Infancy

This unique volume examines infancy through an evolutionary lens, identifying adaptations that arose due to environmental pressures. It highlights research across disciplines and emphasizes the importance of considering development across all stages of life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 386 pages
Publication date: 23 December 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This groundbreaking work stands as one of the pioneering efforts to explore infancy through an evolutionary lens, recognizing it as a distinct stage characterized by the emergence of specific adaptations in response to particular environmental pressures. Infancy holds immense significance in psychological development, and evolutionary psychologists are increasingly acknowledging that natural selection has exerted its influence on all stages of life, including childhood. To address this pivotal shift in perspective, the volume brings together research from diverse disciplines such as developmental psychology, evolutionary developmental psychology, anthropology, sociology, nutrition, and primatology. The chapters are organized into four comprehensive sections:

Theoretical Underpinnings: This section delves into the theoretical foundations that underpin the study of infancy from an evolutionary perspective. It explores the concept of adaptation, the mechanisms of natural selection, and the ways in which environmental factors influence the development of the human brain and behavior.

Brain and Cognitive Development: This section examines the cognitive and neural mechanisms that underlie infant development. It explores topics such as brain growth, sensory perception, memory formation, language acquisition, and problem-solving abilities. By integrating evolutionary insights, researchers gain a deeper understanding of how these cognitive processes have evolved to support infant survival and socialization.

Social/Emotional Development: This section explores the social and emotional aspects of infant development. It examines how infants develop social relationships, form attachments, and regulate their emotions. It also explores the role of parental behavior and socialization in shaping infant development and the evolution of social communication and cooperation.

Life and Death: This section examines the biological and physiological aspects of infancy, including survival, growth, and development. It explores the challenges infants face in their early years, such as malnutrition, disease, and predation. By understanding the evolutionary pressures that have shaped infant development, researchers can gain insights into the strategies that humans and other species have developed to ensure the survival of their young.

Evolutionary Perspectives on Infancy: This section provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in evolutionary psychology regarding infancy. It explores the evolutionary advantages of infant development, such as the development of social skills and cooperation, as well as the costs associated with infancy, such as the vulnerability to disease and predation. By integrating evolutionary perspectives, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between biology, culture, and development.

In conclusion, this unique volume offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of infancy from an evolutionary perspective. By bringing together research from diverse disciplines, it sheds new light on our understanding of the human brain and the environments responsible for shaping the brain during early stages of development. This book will be of interest to evolutionary psychologists, developmental psychologists, biologists, anthropologists, and scholars more broadly interested in infancy.

Weight: 605g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030760021
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022