Definition
Deferred adaptations are behaviors or learning selected through evolution to facilitate later adult functioning. They are often viewed as childhood preparations for adulthood. Examples of deferred adaptations are play (in which children simulate and rehearse adult roles and behavior), developing gender differences in behavior and motivation (which prepares for gendered adult responsibilities), and the young mind’s orientation to novelty (which facilitates rapid learning). As these examples illustrate, deferred adaptations can have adaptive functions during the period in which they develop as well as in adulthood.
Introduction
Childhood and adolescence are typically viewed as a period in which the characteristics and skills necessary for adult functioning are prepared and rehearsed. This is true in evolutionary terms. Evolutionary adaptions have evolved to equip species with reliably developing characteristics that help to...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Belsky, J. (2012). The development of human reproductive strategies: Progress and prospects. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 21, 310–316.
Bjorklund, D. F. (1997). The role of immaturity in human development. Psychological Bulletin, 122, 153–169.
Boyce, W. T., & Ellis, B. J. (2005). Biological sensitivity to context: I. An evolutionary-developmental theory of the origins and functions of stress reactivity. Development and Psychopathology, 17, 271–301.
Chisholm, J. S. (1999). Death, hope, and sex. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Ellis, B. J., Figuerdo, A. J., Brumbach, B. H., & Schlomer, G. L. (2009). Fundamental dimensions of environmental risk: The impact of harsh and unpredictable environments on the evolution and development of life history strategies. Human Nature, 20, 204–268.
Thompson, R. A. (2013a). Adaptations and adaptations. In D. Narvaez, J. Panksepp, A. Schore, & T. Gleason (Eds.), Evolution, early experience and human development: From research to practice and policy (pp. 329–336). New York: Oxford University Press.
Thompson, R. A. (2013b). Attachment theory and research: Precis and prospect. In P. Zelazo (Ed.), Oxford handbook of developmental psychology, Vol. 2. Self and others (pp. 191–216). New York: Oxford University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Section Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this entry
Cite this entry
Thompson, R.A. (2018). Deferred Adaptations. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2386-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2386-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
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