psy 11_09 p905 contents:Layout 1
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Page 905
the
psychologist vol 22 no 11
november 2009
forum 906 taking A-level psychology seriously; in defence of empiricism; and much more
THE ISSUE
news, conference and media 912 post-antibiotic apocalypse; walking in circles; reports from the British Science Festival and a Martin Seligman lecture; and Kisane Prutton on the benefits of engaging with a changing media
150 years ago this month, Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species changed the world. This issue celebrates that anniversary with a range of contributions from modern psychologists taking Darwin’s theories into new and intriguing areas. Take parasites. To Darwin, they were fascinating examples of adaptation. But recent research (see p.942) has uncovered a set of psychological adaptations that serve as a first line of behavioural defence against contact with parasites. This ‘behavioural immune system’ has provocative implications for many different kinds of phenomena that are of interest to psychologists. Another anniversary we celebrate this month is the 150th e-mail issue of the Research Digest. See p.922 for some top psychologists revealing ‘one nagging thing’ they still don’t understand about themselves. Dr Jon Sutton (Managing Editor)
922
Developing human brain functions Mark Johnson describes the emerging field of developmental cognitive neuroscience
924
Beyond ‘just-so stories’ Lisa DeBruine on how evolutionary theory leads to novel predictions
930
Social class through the evolutionary lens Daniel Nettle takes a look
934
The peacock’s tail of altruism Wendy Iredale and Mark Van Vugt on the Darwinian psychology of helping
938
methods evaluating explanatory theories: Brian Haig advocates ‘inference to the best explanation’, a method used by Darwin
948
book reviews mental toughness; consciousness; the compassionate mind; and more
952
society President’s column; Presidents’ Award; accreditation; journals; and more
956
Blogging on brain and behaviour JOHN STURROCK/REPORTDIGITAL.CO.UK
934
970 careers Darwin in the workplace; the Society’s Undergraduate Research Assistantship scheme; the latest jobs, and how to advertise looking back on the origins of human nature: Chris Lerwill digs into Darwin’s archives
988
one on one …with David Buss
992
read discuss contribute at www.thepsychologist.org.uk
SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
One nagging thing… Top psychologists help us to celebrate the 150th Research Digest e-mail
922
Parasites, minds and cultures Could the most human of qualities owe their existence to tiny, mindless organisms? Justin Park and Mark Schaller investigate 942
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