The Matthew Effect: Evolutionary implications

Original article:

The Matthew Effect: Evolutionary implications

Evolutionary Psychology 2: 92-104 Leon Sloman, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada, slomanl@rogers.comDavid W. Dunham, Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, 25 Harbord Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G5, Canada, dunham@zoo.utoronto.ca

Abstract

This article suggests that, in prehistoric man, the results of competition magnified the effect of small genetic differences between competing individuals, thereby increasing the differential in their relative reproductive success (difference amplification). This had the effect of accelerating the evolution of early man. The differential effect of success and failure on competing individuals led to “difference amplification”. These mechanisms can still be observed today. This model is relevant to psychotherapy with depressed clients.

Keywords

difference amplification, cycle of success, maladaptive cycle, assortative mating, phylogenetic adaptation

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