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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science pp 1–9Cite as

Ecological Influences

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Synonyms

Ecology and behavior; Environmental contingencies; Environmental effects

Definition

How environmental/external conditions affect behavior.

Introduction

Local ecology has tremendous ultimate and proximal influence on human behavior through both evolutionary and developmental processes. A number of theories predict a number of specific ecological influences for a variety of human behavior. Thus, a complete account of ecological influences is not possible. However, one theory in particular deserves special attention for the variety of diverse ecological conditions that it can bring together to explain a wide range of human behavior, life history theory. Here, life history theory is explained, the logic of life history theory is used to discuss specific environmental conditions and how they affect behavior, and evidence is presented that shows the theory-consistent impact of our local ecology on behavior. Finally, potential mediators of the effects of ecological conditions on...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Wyoming, Larame, WY, USA

    Joshua J. Reynolds

Authors
  1. Joshua J. Reynolds
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joshua J. Reynolds .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Psychology, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL, USA

    Curtis S. Dunkel

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing AG

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Reynolds, J.J. (2016). Ecological Influences. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2294-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2294-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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