Question

In BIOL350 we considered that: (1) humans have evolved certain inclinations that apparently serve to buffer anxiety, particularly self-impermanence anxiety; but that (2) certain behavioral states commonly diagnosed as mental disorders may have conferred fitness advantages for at least some of our ancestors. Describe the main points in support of this second view.

A) Evolutionary advantages of mental disorders; Enhanced creativity and problem-solving
B) Genetic determinism; Fixed behavior patterns and innate predispositions to mental health issues
C) Cultural determinism; Influence of societal expectations on mental well-being
D) Maladaptive traits; Negative consequences of evolved behaviors in modern society

Answer 1

Evolutionary advantages of mental disorders can be understood by acknowledging that certain traits considered disorders today may have offered adaptive benefits in ancestral environments, such as enhanced creativity or problem-solving abilities, advantageous costly signaling, and positive gene-environment interactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

You've asked about the evolutionary advantages of mental disorders and how certain behavioral states diagnosed as mental disorders may have conferred fitness advantages for some of our ancestors. In support of this view, there are several main points to consider:

• Adaptive Differences and Fitness Advantages: Evolutionary psychology posits that certain personality traits and behavioral patterns may have provided survival and reproductive advantages. Traits that may be seen as disorders today could have been beneficial in ancestral environments by enhancing creativity, problem-solving, or promoting behaviors that increased reproductive success.
• Costly Signaling Theory: This theory suggests that certain traits, which might be seen as undesirable, can actually signal genetic fitness to potential mates, thus improving mating opportunities and reproductive success.
• Gene-Environment Interaction: The traits that we possess now evolved under past environmental and social conditions. What may be maladaptive in today's world could have been useful in the different contexts of our ancestors, where the pressures from the environment selected for these traits.

It's important to note that evolutionary advantages do not necessarily translate to advantages in the present day, as environmental and societal contexts have changed significantly.