Lane L W, Luchins D J
Department of Psychiatry, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago.
Compr Psychiatry. 1988 Nov-Dec;29(6):598-603. doi: 10.1016/0010-440x(88)90080-6.
Evolutionary hypotheses have been used widely to interpret enigmatic psychiatric phenomena. In applying evolutionary theory, three common methodological errors occur: imprecise and inappropriate use of evidence and theoretical concepts; incorrect assessment of the level at which evolutionary processes occur; and potential misinterpretation of observations due to a confusion of proximate and ultimate causation. Guidelines and criteria for developing meaningful evolutionary hypotheses and rigorous research strategies are described. It is hoped that these efforts will enhance the contribution evolutionary theory may have as it is applied to psychiatric observations in the future.
进化假说已被广泛用于解释神秘的精神现象。在应用进化理论时，会出现三个常见的方法错误：对证据和理论概念的不精确和不恰当使用；对进化过程发生水平的错误评估；以及由于对近因和远因的混淆而可能对观察结果产生错误解读。文中描述了提出有意义的进化假说和严谨研究策略的指导方针和标准。希望这些努力将增强进化理论在未来应用于精神观察时可能做出的贡献。
