Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind (Hardcover)

~ David Buss (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The third edition of Evolutionary Psychology continues to be the premier text for the burgeoning field of evolutionary psychology, and this major update contains nearly 400 new references.

From the Back Cover

In the first edition, Evolutionary Psychology was the premier and original text for the burgeoning field of evolutionary psychology. The third edition, containing a major update involving nearly 400 new references, continues this legacy.

 

David Buss, one of the foremost researchers in the field, has thoroughly revised his already enormously successful text to provide an even more comprehensive overview of this dynamic field. Using cutting-edge research and an engaging writing style, the third edition of Evolutionary Psychology ensures that you will master the material presented.

 

Highlights of the Third Edition

• Expanded coverage of issues in clinical and psychopathology
• Expanded coverage of culture and learning
• New coverage of testosterone and human mating
• New coverage of work on parenting and kinship adaptations
• Expanded coverage of fMRI and other neuroscience findings
• New work on adaptations linked with ovulation
• New section on the evolution of intelligence

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 3rd edition (July 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205483380
• ISBN-13: 978-0205483389
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #326,609 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A triumphantly successful milestone for modern psychology., February 3, 1999

By	[e-mail] "lhetz79249" (El Cerrito, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind (Hardcover)

Professor Buss has taken upon himself the formidable challenge of producing the first evolutionary psychology textbook, a milestone that is long overdue. In his endeavor he has succeeded magnificently. In 411 pages he manages a sterling job of covering the most important topics in evolutionary psychology, bringing to bear the most up to date literature in a simple to read yet academically compelling format. He begins with a complete and intelligent introduction to both evolutionary theory and the events leading to the development of an evolutionary psychology. Thereafter, he covers broad branches of human behavior - kin relations, cooperative relationships, warfare, aggression, status-seeking, parenting and, of course, human mating strategies. This last topic is covered in several different chapters and highlights the author¹s own valuable, ground-breaking work done in the area. His book provides a miraculous combination of both utterly fascinating and effortless reading, rare qualities in textbooks. No review can be complete without mention of a few blemishes, however minor and in this case it is particularly tempting to simply omit them entirely. However, Dr. Buss occasionally relies heavily, too heavily perhaps, on secondary or general sources of information (i.e., Dawkins, de Waal, Pinker) when more research oriented sources are available. No doubt this stems, at least in part, from the fact that there is simply not as much primary literature on the subject as one could hope for (at least where humans are concerned). This will undoubtedly be improved by the time the next edition rolls off the press. Too, one would greatly hope that future editions of this text might include a section on foraging/hunting and food adaptations since they are so fundamental to survival and because so many other primate species display overt and well-studied feeding adaptations. However, such minor details are utterly dwarfed by the magnitude, importance and quality of this work. The breadth, depth and timeliness of this textbook cannot be overstated. If you are planning on teaching an undergraduate course on evolutionary psychology or are simply interested in learning more about the subject, this is, without question, the most authoritative and comprehensive vehicle available, eclipsing even the extraordinary Adapted Mind.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent textbook for undergraduate students., October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind (Hardcover)

By working from the premises of Tooby & Cosmides' Integrated Causal Model, David Buss has done an outstanding job of making accessible not only the complex historical development of evolutionary psychology, but also inclusive fitness theory, specific evolutionary hypotheses and specific predictions derived from these hypotheses. Furthermore, Buss is comprehensive, balanced and precise when asserting theories and empirical substantiation from other major thinkers, viz., Trivers, Pinker, Bloom, Ridley, Symons, Williams, Mayr, Plomin, DeFries, etc.

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Introduction to Evolutionary Psychology, July 12, 2000

By	Robert H. Pietrzak (Brookline, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind (Hardcover)

In "Evolutionary Psychology -- The New Science of Mind," David M. Buss delivers a comprehensive, well-detailed, and illustrative presentation of evolved psychological mechanisms that have become universal across the human species while detailing the biology necessary to understand evolutionary theory and how it applies to human psychology. Organizationally-sound, the textbook reads like a novel, clearly providing theoretical and empirical information requisite for a fundamental understanding of Evolutionary Psychology. Buss' volume is essential reading for students of Evolutionary Psychology and very suitable reading for those of us interested in why we are the way we are. For more advanced readers, "The Adapted Mind," edited by Barkow, Cosmides, and Tooby is an ideal choice.