The role of neurosis in phylogenetic adaptation, with particular reference to early man.

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  • Author(s): Sloman L
  • Source:
    The American journal of psychiatry [Am J Psychiatry] 1976 May; Vol. 133 (5), pp. 543-7.
  • Publication Type:
    Journal Article
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: American Psychiatric Association Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0370512 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0002-953X (Print) Linking ISSN: 0002953X NLM ISO Abbreviation: Am J Psychiatry Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: Arlington, VA : American Psychiatric Association
    • Subject Terms:
      Adaptation, Psychological* ; Biological Evolution* ; Neurotic Disorders*; Humans ; Marriage ; Psychological Theory ; Selection, Genetic
    • Abstract:
      The author hypothesizes that neurosis results from maladaptation and leads to further maladaptation, thus creating a vicious cycle that can be viewed as having played a significant role in human evolution. Individuals who were less successful in the struggle for survival during prehistory would have been more likely to become neurotic, a maladaptation that would magnify existing genetically transmitted differences in their viability and affect both the choice of a mate and the viability of their offspring. This process would have accelerated human evolution by favoring the most viable. The author relates this theory to his concepts of assortative mating and to other theories of the role of neurosis.
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Indexing Agency: PIP Local ID #: 763320. Indexing Agency: POP Local ID #: 00034023.
      Keywords: Behavior; Eugenics; Psychological Factors; Sex Behavior*
      Local Abstract: [PIP] An hypothesis that neurosis emanates from maladaptation and tends toward further maladaptation, and that individual maladaptation could have played an adaptive role for the human species is presented. Those individuals in prehistory who could not struggle as well for survival as others would have been more likely to develop neuroses, thereby intensifying already existing genetically transmitted differences and affecting the choice of a mate and the viability of offspring. Such a dynamic would hasten human evolution by favoring the most viable individuals. The hypothesis is discussed in relation to the concept of assortative mating and other theories of the role of neurosis.
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 19760501 Date Completed: 19760706 Latest Revision: 20101118
    • Publication Date:
      20221213
    • Accession Number:
      10.1176/ajp.133.5.543
    • Accession Number:
      1267059