How Much Can Evolutionary Psychology Inform the Educational Sciences?

Abstract

In response to a stimulating article by David C. Geary on the value of understanding the evolutionary basis of learning as a guide to instruction, I raise several objections. When evolutionary theory is used to explain everything from sex differences in math and reading to why children are bored in school, it loses its explanatory power. There is also the problem of falsifiability, which is a central tenet in the scientific method, and the problem that a large portion of the population does not believe in evolution. The most important message from evolutionary psychology is the incredible adaptability that people have in response to new challenges, which I contend is the most valuable lesson we can learn from our evolutionary past.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I thank Nora Newcombe, Department of Psychology, Temple University, for her comments on this response.