Final answer:
Evolutionary psychology is the field that explains behaviors and cognitive processes in terms of their adaptive value and how they have evolved over time due to natural selection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of psychology that explains the mind and behavior in terms of the adaptive value of abilities that are preserved over time is known as evolutionary psychology. This field studies the ultimate biological causes of behavior, including how certain behaviors may have been shaped by the forces of natural selection. Individuals' mental and behavioral adaptations are considered in relation to their survival and reproduction, and evolutionary psychologists seek to understand how universal patterns of behavior and cognitive processes have evolved over time.