Evolutionary Psychology: A Very Short Introduction - Softcover

Fisher, Maryanne L.; Wade, T. Joel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198827938 ISBN 13: 9780198827931

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2026

Synopsis

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring

How did our brains change over the course of evolution, and what did it mean for our ancestors? Why do we behave the way we do today? Evolutionary psychology is the only framework that allows us to fully understand the nuances of humans' motivations, emotions, cognitions, and behaviours. Our bodies have evolved over time, and so too have our brains. How we respond to situations emotionally, our thoughts, our motivations, and our behaviours have a deep heritage based on the successes of our ancestors in meeting their survival or reproductive needs.

In this Very Short Introduction Maryanne L. Fisher and T. Joel Wade unfold the intriguing idea that our brain, like every other body part, has been shaped over time by natural and sexual selection. Fisher and Wade consider the contexts in which our ancestors thrived and explore how people today think and act using an evolutionary compass. This research-oriented exploration addresses diverse topics, organised into chapters on the principles underlying this approach, survival issues, group alliances, aggression, family dynamics, and mating strategies. It touches on a broad array of topics like fears, disgust, attraction, sibling conflict, friendship, and homicide.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

About this title

About the Author

Maryanne L. Fisher is a Professor and Santamarian Research Chair in the Department of Psychology at Saint Mary's University. Her books include Evolution's Empress: Darwinian Perspectives on the Nature of Women (editor, 2013) and The Oxford Handbook of Women and Competition (editor, 2017). Her research is regularly in media outlets including the BBC, CNN, CBC, and Discovery.


T. Joel Wade is a Presidential Professor in the Department of Psychology at Bucknell University. His research focuses on mate attraction, mate selection, mate expulsion, love, and relationships. He has published numerous articles in social psychology and evolutionary psychology journals, and his research has been covered in media outlets including the BBC, CNN, CBC, and numerous national and international news magazines.

Edition details

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198827938
• ISBN 13: 9780198827931
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208