Changing views of evolution and their consequences for psychology: From the Modern Synthesis to the Extended Synthesis, and beyond


The concept of evolution has profoundly impacted our understanding of the natural world, and psychology is no exception. While Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection laid the foundation, our understanding of evolution has undergone significant revisions. This article explores how these changing views of evolution have shaped and reshaped the field of psychology.

The Modern Synthesis and Evolutionary Psychology

The early 20th century saw the rise of the Modern Synthesis, which integrated Mendelian genetics with Darwinian selection. Evolutionary psychology, emerging from this synthesis, examined how human psychology served as an adaptation to ancestral environments. Traits like fear of heights or social affiliation were seen as products of natural selection, promoting survival and reproduction.

This approach had significant limitations:

  • Underestimating Culture: The focus on universal, unchanging traits downplayed the role of culture in shaping human behavior. Cultural norms and practices can significantly influence psychological experiences.

  • Oversimplification: Evolutionary psychology sometimes oversimplified complex human behavior by attributing it solely to genetic predispositions, neglecting environmental influences.

The Extended Synthesis and Beyond

The limitations of the Modern Synthesis led to the development of the Extended Synthesis in the late 20th century. This broader view incorporated additional evolutionary mechanisms like niche construction, developmental systems theory, and gene-culture coevolution.

  • Niche Construction: This concept acknowledges that organisms don't just passively adapt; they actively modify their environment through behaviors. Human tools and social structures create new environments that, in turn, influence further evolution. Beavers are classic Examples.



  • Developmental Systems Theory: It emphasizes the dynamic interplay between genes, environment, and development. Traits are not solely predetermined by genes; their expression depends on environmental factors that trigger specific developmental pathways.

  • Gene-Culture Coevolution: 



This theory proposes a two-way interaction between genes and culture. Cultural practices can select for specific epigenetic expression, and genetic predispositions can influence the adoption of certain cultural traits.

The Extended Synthesis offers a richer understanding of human psychology in several ways:

  • Explaining Cultural Variation: It allows for the exploration of how cultural practices can lead to psychological variations across populations.

  • Plasticity and Adaptation: It highlights the plasticity of human development and behavior, acknowledging that adaptation can occur throughout the lifespan and across generations.

Looking Forward

The field of evolutionary psychology continues to evolve, incorporating insights from fields like epigenetics and behavioral ecology. Some promising new areas to consider include:

  • Evolution of Emotions: A deeper understanding of how emotions evolved and their role in social interactions, decision-making, and well-being.

  • Evolution and Psychopathology: Exploring how evolutionary mechanisms might contribute to the development and manifestation of mental disorders.

  • Human-Microbiome Interactions: Investigating how the coevolution of humans with their gut microbiome influences both physical and mental health.


The influence of evolution on psychology has been profound. From the Modern Synthesis to the Extended Synthesis, our understanding of how our minds were shaped by evolutionary pressures has become increasingly nuanced. Moving forward, incorporating new discoveries in biology and integrating the study of genes, environment, and culture will be crucial for a comprehensive understanding of human psychology. This will not only enhance our understanding of human behavior but also inform interventions aimed at promoting mental well-being and fostering a more fulfilling human experience.

Evolution's Expanding Lens: From Modern Synthesis to Extended Synthesis

The journal article "Changing views of evolution and their consequences for psychology" by Szokolszky and Palatinus delves into the evolving understanding of evolution and its impact on psychology. It focuses on the shift from the Modern Synthesis (MS) to the Extended Synthesis (ES), highlighting how the newer framework reshapes our view of human behavior.

The MS, dominant in the 20th century, emphasized genes and natural selection as the driving forces of evolution. It painted a picture of organisms adapting to their environment through random mutations and subsequent selection pressures. This gene-centric view influenced psychology, focusing on inherited traits and behaviors shaped by the environment.

However, the ES challenges this limited perspective. It proposes a broader framework that incorporates additional evolutionary mechanisms. Here's how the ES expands on the MS:

  • Niche Construction: Organisms don't passively adapt; they actively modify their environment. Beavers building dams or humans creating agriculture are prime examples. This "niche construction" shapes selection pressures, influencing future generations. Psychology can now explore how human behavior not only reacts to, but also actively modifies, the selective landscape.

  • Developmental Systems Theory: Genes don't operate in isolation. The environment interacts with genes during development, influencing how traits are expressed. This challenges the MS view of a rigid gene-to-trait relationship. Psychology can now consider the dynamic interplay between genes, environment, and developmental processes in shaping behavior.

  • Cultural Evolution: The MS primarily focused on genetic evolution. The ES acknowledges the role of cultural transmission, where learned behaviors and ideas are passed on, independent of genes. This opens doors for understanding how cultural norms and social learning influence human behavior. Psychology can now integrate cultural evolution into its models of human development and social interaction.

By acknowledging the interplay between genes, environment, niche construction, and cultural transmission, the ES offers a richer understanding of evolution beyond the Modern Synthesis. This, in turn, allows psychology to explore human behavior with a more nuanced lens, considering the complex interplay of biological and cultural factors.

This shift in evolutionary understanding has significant implications for various areas of psychology. It can inform studies on altruism, cooperation, and social learning, all of which involve complex interactions beyond just genes and natural selection. By embracing the broader view of the ES, psychology can move towards a more comprehensive understanding of the human mind and behavior.




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