Alexander Leighton and the Evolutionary Perspective

Abstract

A comparison of the theoretical approach of Alexander H. Leighton with that of current work in evolutionary psychology and psychiatry reveals key similarities. For both, a core human nature/ psychology is assumed to underlie human behavior. Individuals may vary with regard to the salience of components of that core, which in any event are differentially expressed in response to varying cultural/environmental factors. As with many of today's evolutionists, Leighton's research involved natural settings combined with the collection of rigorously analyzed quantitative data. Evolutionary psychiatrists would benefit greatly from studying Leighton's work, particularly in connection with the hypothesis that psychopathology is a product of our departure from the environments in which we evolved.