The Phenomena of Evolution Psychology - Term Paper Example

The phenomena of evolution psychology in relation to architecture and landscape architecture Your name Subject Date Abstract In the attempt to explain the phenomena of evolution psychology with respect to humans and their interaction in their physical environment, researchers have to borrow references, from the evolutionary theory. The evolution theory by natural selection, according to Darwin (1985), envisions a much deeper design of both the human mind and brain. Therefore this undertaking is the integration of principles and findings drawn from evolutionary biology, cognitive science, anthropology, economics, architecture and neuroscience with psychology in order to produce detail and accurate explanation of human nature. The interaction of human and nature, visible landscape, is believed to effect human interaction in several ways, including aesthetic appreciation ,health factors and general being well-being. The transformation of the human environment with respect to traditional, technical and industrial basis, has enable man to rethink ways to solve the dynamics of needs, such as shelter and means of satisfying these needs. In this regard, we seek to analyze the aspects of evolutionary psychology in relation to architecture bearing in mind the complexity of landscape and landscape properties. The exploitation of environmental resources by human, considering his need for comfort , security and sustainability of natural process, to enhance productivity and sustainability have led to both positive and negative implications. Therefore formulation of regulations, for either maintenance protection of environmental factors, has received accolades and criticism in equal measures. The ethical standards for reorganization of industrial, technical and environmental aspects arranged in an accessible format to enhance both evolutionary and psychological transformation fill the gaps in our knowledge. Evolutionary psychology is a science that seeks to explain the behavior of humans using the universal instruments. Introduction According to Tooby & Cosmides (1992), Evolutionary psychology is simply psychology that is informed by the additional knowledge that evolutionary biology has to offer, in the expectation that understanding the process that designed the human mind will advance the discovery of its architecture. It is the scientific attempt to assemble out the various human disciplines into a single, logically integrated structure for the psychological, social, and behavioral sciences. This structure will not only incorporates the evolutionary sciences on a full and equal basis, but one that systematically works out all of the revisions in existing belief and research practice that such an analysis needs (Tooby & Cosmides, 1992). Evolution psychology is the belief that all humans have the instinctive part of their brains with the required knowledge and information for his survival in their immediate environment. This area is well developed and specialized and can therefore be used only when the required information is needed. According to a long philosophical tradition, reasoning is what enables the human mind to go beyond mere perception, habit, and instinct. We can therefore outline an approach to reasoning based on the idea that the primary functions for which it evolved the production and evaluation of arguments in communication. In other words, the mind is plain and lacks specialized circuits that were designed by natural selection to respond differentially to inputs by virtue of their evolved significance. This presumed psychology justifies a crucial foundational claim that the evolved organization of the mind plays little causal role in generating the content of human social and mental life. Architectural psychology is also a multi-faceted field, but focused on the relationship between humans and his environment. The definition of environment in the broad sense would include natural, social, built, learning and informational environments. It studies the natural contents that contribute the appealing properties of the environment such as beauty and serenity. It is also the understanding how people are aware of the dynamics of the environment; Perception and cognitive mapping or how people cognitively map what they experience based on what they know or think they know about their environment (W. Bro. Victor G. Popow, 2000) In view of the fact, that this field has been committed to the development of a value oriented and problem solving discipline. Therefore the process of problem solving in with regard human-environment interactions, whether local or global, one must consider the human characteristics that will predicts environmental conditions. Accordingly, to understand adaptations for problem solving, one need to model the properties of the environment that constituted the problem and the available materials within which, could be exploited for solutions. There have been many attempts by scholars to define landscape, though there is still a wide range of perspectives that can underline this field. The major point of discussion outstanding, is the relationship between man , landscape and nature. Landscape architecture is therefore the design of outdoor areas, landmarks and structures. This involves the systematic analysis of ecological factors, social and geological conditions and processes to achieve aesthetic outcomes. Therefore, landscapes maintain a close relationship to nature but an even closer relationship in terms of the viewer’s emotions and relations. The separation between subject and object allows us to describe the ‘land’ of landscape as a territorial entity, to be analyzed objectively in its components. However, the ‘scape’ as the landscape of our daily living environment, is what we see, with its meanings, and also with its stories of the past and present, which raise our expectations and emotions.” (Vroom, 2006). Thus landscape architecture encompasses the process of urban design and planning, environmental restoration, visual resource management, private and residential landscape master planning, environmental assessment and also impact assessment. According to Popow, (2000) architectural temperature defines the degree of detail, harmony measures coherence and symmetry. The study of architecture and its effects on humans, will produce a wide perspective in the knowledge based learning and from diverse subjects areas. It is therefore apparent that the act of experimenting with structures in the environment involves so many different aspects. An example, with the cognitive function alone, both eyes will move together, at nine hundred degrees per second and focus our gaze on a target within 25miliseconds. It will process the vast amount of light information, the relay to the brain, which will process what was captured by the eye. Such an understanding and mutual relationship between the two organs is helpful in the design of isolated or extraterrestrial environments. Architectural designs will mimic the activities of life processes. Therefore we can conclude that architecture is both symbolic and intentional as it tries to reflect the psychology of its designers, regardless of time, culture and tradition. Explanation concerning people ideas have been characteristically explained using Evolutionary psychology successfully. Architecture and landscape architecture can be successfully explained using Evolutionary psychology to get a scientifically acceptable hypothesis. Most people associate Architecture and landscape architecture to design ideas, as a whole but the real understanding is that it emanates from constraints in its practise. Advancement in building material together with their sophisticated usage requirement as well as wish for more advancement, ingenuity and originality form the basis to the modern architecture and landscape architecture. Matters that weight the industry to changes normally emanate from the political and economics. According to researchers, the myriad progression in evolution science and ecology led to the aspect of a common central understanding centring on the substantial difference between human space and natural, and now the environment is seen as vital in architecture and landscape architecture. ¹ Through the years, the world’s perspective of nature has metamorphosed, but the one singular factor remain how we inhabit here on earth. Aspects such as our dwelling space as well as the build environs inhabited by us humans as seen as less relevant factors and mostly overlooked by scholars and historians. However, the fact is humans like to stay in places that are uniquely well matched in affiliation to their surroundings. Humans cannot stay in the forest as if wild animals since those places are only suited for animals. Humans demand structures and scenery conducive for their needs. As a result, contained in the idea of professionalism in the Architecture and landscape architecture sector, is the assumption of better designs different in nature, as well as an environment that is healthy and appealing for those who buy dwellings. As a result, what Architects draw today is both fundamental and structurally different from previous years. In the past, the notion of environment, different designs created by experts as well as the combination of both the living space and the non-living space never existed. Buss describes the process as: ‘how and where we live is explained when he says that the Landscape preferences are a manifestation of habit preferences, which in turn were selected based on their capacity to meet ecological requirements of man. This included food, water, shelter, environment and protection’. ² Evolution psychology in relation to architecture The field of evolutionary psychology offers vitals steps in the understanding of old building styles adaption to the present days buildings and its conflict to the new building styles, which are seen to contradict human nature. To get a better understanding, we first have to conceptualise the idea of the attitudes directed towards the olden building styles. The times of the hunter-gatherer period saw most humans in those days building structures that were permanent. This conceptualisation of this structure at the time signified the lack on staying in one place for a long time. In addition, since they lack any hauling capabilities at the time, what was needed to construct their temporary dwellings was collected from that vicinity. With the introduction of agriculture, people started having fixed dwelling places. Since then no major evolutionary changes occurred. A good starting point for traditional architecture stems from the Palaeolithic period. Relevant key evolutionary psychology trends in the traditional building styles and evolution to urbanisation can be observed from when man used to live in temporary dwelling and when modern structure emerged even those these two architectural errors may seem different. Principle of traditional architecture The proper scale of “whole to part” is the principle-coined ideology for traditional architecture. Both Alexander, Christopher observed that human beings tend to like building which exhibit 3:1 ratio of hierarchy of scales. ³ Buildings, build using the 3:1 ratio model normally have three portions, a central portion and two wings each when measure to the building exhibit measurements of a 1/3 of the size. The windows used in this building are used to break up the building visually into smaller area. Traditional building contained at most five repeated elements. This created and outcome of showing the building as magnificent instead of creating comfort. Thought different, the underlying principle of whole to part was still exhibited in the buildings hierarchy as evidenced in the old style American Indian houses in which the diameter of the entrance was one-third the diameter of the frontal part of the dwellings. The essence of having a smaller entrance was to signify safely to the building as offering adequate protection against adverse conditions. In addition, the adequate ratio of the entrance one-third the size of the dwellings is now impinged into our human psyche today and is evidenced worldwide. Evolution psychology in relation to landscape architecture Through the years, man has had a strong inherent liking for landscapes, which exhibit ancestral environmental characters. A survey was undertaken with children from numerous countries. The aim of the survey was to ascertain the kind of landscapes preferred. It was discovered that landscapes, which had more trees and more natural looking such as the African landscape, were selected as the preferred locations. Up to now, this preference has not changed much, and the preferred location sought by most people are areas that have trees and water around which unfortunately are expensive to come by due to their demand and only the rich are able to enjoy its best features. Political significant of Evolutionary psychology Apparently, controversy thrives when talking of evolution psychology in regards to architecture and landscape architecture with both sides holding radical political views. Evolutionary psychology is often than not associated with right wing politics using Marxist viewpoint as there focus inspiration. Other psychologist such as Wilson said, “Promoting recognition of the true power and role of instincts is not the same as advocating the total abandonment of social restraint.” ⁴ In cities such as Adelaide in Australia, those groups who oppose the modernisation can be considered as people whose inherent nature is the unchanging ability they possess and just want to keep things simple the way they are. It is observable in man to see how inner psychological drivers inhibit them from making certain decisions. According to supporters of Evolutionary psychology, modern architecture is seen as violating the basic principle of architecture “hierarchy” and building look like single masses. They also fail on the second principle of consistency because of their unique looks create a lack of consistency. Finally, the lack of symmetry is seen to give attention to the buildings themselves and occupants complain of faintness and are rather uncomfortable living in those houses. ⁵ Today architecture is centring on the external appeal of the structure and instead of concentrating on the internal appeal. The traditional housing architects are now re-engineering the timeless system of contractions, which is centred on the human appeal. This group have a hand in the policy formulation of certain areas and in circumstances where they have a large majority such as Adelaide town in Australia they are likely to influence the way building are constructed. Ethical issues arising from our inhabitation of the built environment Most evolutionary psychologist desists from circumstances of situation that will bring about social change. Their evolutionary theories cut out the notion interfering which the way situation are currently and argue for the normal evolutionary process being given priority to work for itself. The naturalistic fallacy concept is highly regarded with evolutionary psychologist even if it infringes on other rights. Using this concept, they view ideas such as helping the poor get cheap shelter as ways of interfering with the natural evolution whereby only the fittest should be allowed to have houses. Professional who side with ethics (Evolutionary psychology) Many believe that land use, design and environmental ethic to be in unity when projects are undertaken. By eliminating one, you are going contrary to acceptable principles and at most, care has to be undertaken. The comprehensive wellbeing of any population should be paramount in any country together with the environment and not just a select party since the abuse of the environment would equate to the killing of the land. In situation whereby projects have to be undertaken on environmental sensitive areas such as near rivers, lakes or forests, then the project would have to satisfy environmental protection policies and have relatively little destructive capabilities to the environment. Architects and Landscape architects have to put up leaders to voice relevant concerns to the environment and should be instrumental in the designation of industries in sensitive areas to mitigate some of the inherent problems. It is time the industry stood up and showed leadership in this dire industry. Innovating ingenuity are the major factors that can derail calamity to the environment and avoid ethical issues with any industry.⁶ Professionals who do not side on ethics However, other seems to think that ethical consideration should not be paramount in any discussions. Self-gratification are evident in any industry and when one embarks on “ethical consideration”, the true motive is more selfish and less significance for the environment at all. Most of those who approve ethical consideration when it comes to our inhabitation of the built environment, don’t seem to give substantial advice and dwell on why a certain process is not good instead of how to improve on that process or give viable alternatives which could benefit the community. Objections are seen as a poor feedback mentality that do not answer any questions of provide alternatives. The perception of those who want to save the environment are short-sighted in nature. The fact is most ecosystems can recover if given a gentle tap in the right direction. With the growing words population, it is evident that increased growth rate will definitely require more space and the right question to ask is how built environment can successfully merge with the environment. Animals such as beavers most definitely can be termed as destructive to the ecosystem since they make changes to it. But even with their destructive capabilities, they are unable to Kill marine life nor create deserts. Since out thinking capabilities are more superior to the beaver we should then be able to suit our environment to our needs instead of prioritising the environment when it comes to projects. Ethics is an annoying hindrance to development and superior thinking and by imposing ethics in the field of architecture and landscape architecture; we shall not be solving any issues. modern technology are available that can revitalise previously degraded environments. In certain countries, its abandoned quarries are being transformed in ecological wildlife reserves and the restoration is impressive thereby even adding more value to the area as well as earning capabilities. Notes 1. Louise, Barrett, Dunbar Ian MacDonald Robin and Lycett, John. Human evolutionary psychology. Hampshire: Palgrave, 2002. 2. David, M, Buss, ed. The handbook of evolutionary psychology. Wiley, 2005. 185-190 3. Wilson, G.D. Love and Instinct, 1981. 4. Salingaros, Angelos, Nikos and Alexander, Christopher. Anti-architecture and Deconstruction. UMBAU-VERLAG Harald Püschel, 2004. 5. Richard, Samuels. "Massively modular minds: Evolutionary psychology and cognitive architecture." Evolution and the human mind: Modularity, language and meta-cognition (2000): 13-20. 6. Michael, Davis. "Integrating ethics into technical courses: Micro-insertion." Science and Engineering Ethics 12, no. 4 (2006): 717-730. References Buss, David M., ed. The handbook of evolutionary psychology. Wiley, 2005. Barrett, Louise, Robin Ian MacDonald Dunbar, and John Lycett. Human evolutionary psychology. Hampshire: Palgrave, 2002. Davis, Michael. "Integrating ethics into technical courses: Micro-insertion." Science and Engineering Ethics 12, no. 4 (2006): 717-730. Salingaros, Nikos Angelos, and Christopher Alexander. Anti-architecture and Deconstruction. UMBAU-VERLAG Harald Püschel, 2004. Samuels, Richard. "Massively modular minds: Evolutionary psychology and cognitive architecture." Evolution and the human mind: Modularity, language and meta-cognition (2000): 13-46. Wilson, Glenn Daniel. Love and instinct. Temple Smith, 1981. Read More