Posts tagged "Dr.andy"
A new theory of depression
Evolutionary psychology
Dr. Andy Thomson became interested in evolutionary psychology in the late 1990s. This line of investigation speculates about the features of the human mind in terms of natural selection. Evolutionary psychology assumes that the brain has a long evolutionary history, which shapes human nature. according to this orientation, we are not a blank slate but a byproduct of imperfect adaptations. Oiur mind was designed to meet the needs of hunter-gatherers. These theories are hard to prove but their assumptions are largely by scientists today. There is no longer any sognificant debate about whether evolution played a role in the development of the human brain. Instead, the current focus is on which of our mental traits are adaptations and which are accidents.
Depression is a paradox for evolutionary psychology — why is a condition that is so costly is also so common. This ia very complex and sensitive subject and I don't want to misrepresent it in any way. However, I believe that the recent controversy is worth discussing in view of the enormous attention given to its alleviation by modern pharmacology and psychiatry and positive psychology.
