By Corrie Jonn Block, Ph.D. D., DBA, and Justin James Kennedy, Ph. D., D. Prof.
For the past few years, we have been interested in the intersection between neuroplasticity and evolutionary psychology, focusing on the brain’s potential to alter specific evolutionary psychological adaptive mechanisms. Neuroplasticity is an amazing phenomenon that highlights the brain’s incredible ability to change and adapt. It contrasts with the deeply rooted nature of evolutionary psychological adaptations. It’s fascinating to reflect on how much our ingrained thoughts and behaviors can be transformed. In this exploration, we will turn to various sources, including the influential works of David Buss, to delve into the potential of harnessing neuroplasticity to modify our evolutionary adaptations.
Design by Gordana Kennedy from CoachPulse using Shutterstock and Canva fonts
Source: Design by Gordana Kennedy from CoachPulse using Shutterstock and Canva fonts
The human brain is a marvel of evolution, with a complex network of neurons giving us unparalleled cognitive abilities. Neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to adapt and change over time, has been a focal point of Moderna neuroscience, which has aroused interest in its potential to modify certain psychological and behavioral traits (Kolb, Gibb, and Robinson, 2003). At the same time, evolutionary psychology has tried to illuminate the psychological mechanisms perfected by natural selection that underpin our prejudices and behaviors (Buss, 1995). The intersection of these two disciplines raises intriguing questions about the extent to which evolutionary psychological processes can be altered by taking advantage of neuroplasticity.
Fear and Anxiety Responses. Fear and anxiety, which have evolved as vital survival mechanisms (Öhman and Mineka, 2001), are deeply rooted in our biology, particularly in the amygdala. However, Huberman’s (2020) and Sapolsky’s (2017) research shows that neuroplastic changes can be crucial in modifying fear and anxiety responses. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy, for example, have been shown to facilitate the formation of new neural connections, which empowers people to better manage and even reduce these responses (Hofmann, Asnaani, Vonk, Sawyer & Fang, 2012).
Social Hierarchies and Dominance Behaviors. Evolution has ingrained a sensitivity to social hierarchies in humans, which has led to behaviors that ensure survival and reproductive success. The influential work of biological anthropologist Helen Fisher delves into various aspects of human relationships, including attachment, adultery, divorce, and the evolutionary path and future of human family life. Fisher has found a large number of personality traits linked to four brain systems associated with the dopamine, testosterone, estrogen/oxytocin, and serotonin production systems of the brain (Fischer. H, 2009). However, neuroplasticity can alter how we perceive and respond to social hierarchies. Research suggests that mindfulness and meditation practices can change neural patterns, reduce dominance behaviors, and increase empathy and compassion (Lutz, Brefczynski-Lewis, Johnstone, & Davidson, 2008).
Selection of Partners. Mate selection and mate preferences have been studied extensively in the field of evolutionary psychology. Buss (1989) conducted a seminal cross-cultural study on partner preferences, finding that certain preferences (such as men’s preference for younger partners and women’s preference for partners with good financial prospects) were remarkably consistent across cultures, pointing to a potential evolutionary basis. In addition, a review by Bailey et al. (2016) found that sexual orientation, a key aspect of mate selection, appears to be largely resistant to conscious change, and attempts at conversion therapy are unsuccessful and potentially harmful. For example, Ling (2011) documented a religious movement dedicated to harnessing the neuroplasticity of the brain to alter sexual orientation for moral reasons, suggesting that although behaviors may be influenced, sexual orientation is unlikely to be permanently alterable and attempts to do so may be harmful.
Our behaviors and preferences around mate selection are largely driven by evolutionary pressures. However, given the complex and nuanced nature of human sexual behavior, it is unclear to what extent neuroplasticity can alter these preferences. Current research suggests that sexual preferences are likely to be more resistant to change, although more studies are needed to fully understand this complex interaction.
Investment of parents. Geary’s (2000) research supports the notion that parental investment strategies are deeply rooted in our biology and evolutionary history. The study highlighted sex-specific investment strategies consistent with Trivers’ Parental Investment Theory (1972), with men investing more in matchmaking and women investing more in child-rearing. These deeply ingrained behaviors are likely to be resistant to neuroplastic change due to their pivotal role in reproductive success.
Moreover, while parenting practices may change over time and vary between cultures, fundamental investment patterns generally align with evolutionary predictions (Quinlan, 2007). While neuroplasticity may influence parenting-related behaviors, it is unlikely to significantly alter fundamental evolutionary adaptations related to parental investment, given its deep-rooted biological and evolutionary basis.
Aggression and Competition. Like other social behaviors, aggression and competition have evolved as adaptive responses to resource scarcity and reproductive challenges (Buss, 2019). Strategies of aggression and competition are fundamental for survival and reproduction in many species, including humans. Buss and Shackelford (1997) found that aggression is often used as a strategy to deter rivals, prevent infidelity, and negotiate status and power. This suggests that aggression fulfills important survival functions and is likely to be a deeply rooted evolutionary psychological process influenced by factors such as testosterone levels (Dabbs. J, et al, 1987). Fisher has made significant contributions in exploring the role of testosterone and other factors in aggression and their evolutionary importance in human societies. Despite the potential of interventions to moderate the expression of aggression, the fundamental adaptive mechanisms that drive these behaviors appear to be highly resistant to change.
A Limited Set of Tools
While advances in neuroplasticity provide a powerful set of tools for modifying brain function and behavior, our ability to alter deeply ingrained evolutionary psychological processes appears to be limited. It seems that some adaptations, such as fear and anxiety responses and dominance behaviors, may be more susceptible to change due to their proximity to conscious control and cognitive processes. However, other more fundamentally biologically driven adaptations, such as sexual orientation, parental inversion, aggression, and competition, may be less susceptible to intentional neuroplastic interventions due to their deep-rooted biological and evolutionary basis.