Evolutionary Psychology

Scope & Guideline

Transforming Psychological Research with Evolutionary Perspectives

Introduction

Welcome to the Evolutionary Psychology information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of Evolutionary Psychology, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1474-7049
PublisherSAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
Support Open AccessYes
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2009 to 2024
AbbreviationEVOL PSYCHOL-US / Evol. Psychol.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2455 TELLER RD, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91320

Aims and Scopes

The journal Evolutionary Psychology focuses on the intersection of evolutionary theory and psychological research, aiming to understand human behavior through an evolutionary lens. It covers a wide range of topics related to human cognition, emotion, social behavior, and interpersonal relationships, emphasizing empirical research and theoretical development in these areas.
  1. Evolutionary Foundations of Behavior:
    The journal emphasizes research that provides insights into how evolutionary processes have shaped human behavior, including mating strategies, social interactions, and emotional responses.
  2. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    It incorporates methodologies from various fields such as psychology, anthropology, biology, and sociology to explore complex human behaviors and social phenomena.
  3. Focus on Adaptive Functions:
    Many studies investigate the adaptive functions of psychological traits and behaviors, analyzing how they may have contributed to survival and reproductive success.
  4. Sex Differences and Gender Roles:
    A significant focus is on understanding sex differences in behavior, preferences, and societal roles, often exploring how evolutionary perspectives inform these differences.
  5. Health and Well-being:
    Research into the implications of evolutionary psychology for understanding health, mental well-being, and behavioral responses to environmental stressors is also a key area of focus.
Recent publications in Evolutionary Psychology indicate a shift towards exploring new and emerging themes that reflect contemporary societal issues and advancements in research methodologies. The following themes have gained traction in recent years.
  1. Impact of Digital and Social Media:
    Research examining the effects of social media on human behavior, including jealousy, relationship dynamics, and social interactions, has become increasingly relevant in the digital age.
  2. Health Psychology and Evolutionary Perspectives:
    There is a growing trend towards integrating evolutionary psychology with health-related topics, analyzing how evolutionary factors influence behaviors related to health, such as stress responses and health-seeking behaviors.
  3. Cognitive and Emotional Intersections:
    Emerging studies explore the intersections of cognition and emotion, such as how fear and humor interact, reflecting a more integrated approach to understanding human psychology.
  4. Environmental Influences on Behavior:
    There is an increasing focus on how ecological and environmental factors, including perceived harshness or safety, influence behavioral strategies and preferences, highlighting the importance of context.
  5. Cultural and Cross-Cultural Psychology:
    Research that examines cultural influences on evolutionary psychology concepts is gaining prominence, reflecting a more global perspective on human behavior and adaptation.

Declining or Waning

Over time, certain themes within the journal Evolutionary Psychology have become less prominent, reflecting shifts in research interests and societal contexts. The following areas appear to be experiencing a decline in focus or frequency of publications.
  1. Traditional Gender Norms:
    Research explicitly reinforcing traditional gender roles and norms has seen a decrease, as contemporary discussions increasingly challenge these constructs and seek to explore more fluid understandings of gender.
  2. Deterministic Views of Behavior:
    There is a waning interest in studies that promote overly deterministic views of behavior based solely on biology or genetics, as the field moves towards more nuanced understandings that incorporate environmental and cultural factors.
  3. Overemphasis on Mate Selection:
    While mate selection remains an important topic, there seems to be a decline in studies that focus exclusively on mate choice mechanisms without considering broader social and relational contexts.
  4. Narrow Applications of Life History Theory:
    There is less focus on narrowly applying life history theory to explain a wide range of behaviors, with a shift towards integrating this perspective with other psychological frameworks.

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