Citation

Ohler P, Nieding G. J. Cult. Evol. Psychol. 2005; 3(2): 141-157.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Akadémiai Kiadó)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper briefly introduces the principles of evolutionary biology with a main focus on the process of sexual selection. This is followed by an outline of evolutionary psychology. First an introduction to the classical approach to evolutionary psychology is given. This is followed by Donald's (1991, 2002) model of co-evolution of cognition and culture. The behavior system "play" is reconstructed by referring to our own behavior-diversification proto-cognition theory of play which tries to establish an unified evolutionary theory of play in animals and humans. It is argued that play was crucial for the higher cognitions and consciousness of humans. On the basis of these different models, three evolutionary approaches concerning the evolutionary origins of entertainment are presented. They differ in their perspective on whether entertainment is really an adaptation of our species or only a by-product of other adaptations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)