Weisfeld G E
J Nerv Ment Dis. 1979 Jan;167(1):38-55. doi: 10.1097/00005053-197901000-00005.
In modern times the essential "normality" of adolescence has been acknowledged. With its pan-cultural and functional perspective, ethology is in a position to elaborate a description of normal human adolescence. Ethologists attempt to elucidate four interrelated aspects of a given behavior: its survival function, evolution, development, and elicitation by internal and external factors. The basic research strategy is two-fold: to identify biologically based, or evolved, behaviors (chiefly by controlling for the effects of experience and seeing if a core of evolved behavior remains); and to discover their functions by isolating the necessary and sufficient ecological conditions for their evolution. Applying this evolutionary analysis to human adolescence, we find that two developments seem to be basic: reproductive maturation and gaining independence from parents. The remainder of the article is an interpretation of various behavioral, morphological, and cultural data in accordance with these two developmental functions. Puberty seems to be timed so as to promote these functions most effectively. Pubertal changes parallel somatic growth and are delayed by poor nutrition, disease, and psychological stress--patterns consistent with functional considerations. The influence of natural selection on the sequencing of pubertal events is also emphasized. The role of pubertal hormones in altering behavior as well as morphology is illustrated. The adolescent gains independence from his parents by means of maturation and sex differentiation. Males become specialized for vigorous exertion, and females for work near the settlement--although considerable overlap in morphological and behavioral tendencies exists between the sexes. Various examples of sex differentiation demonstrates how morphological, behavioral, and cultural factors complement each other. Adolescent initiation rites help channel boys and girls into appropriate adult roles, teach respect for one's culture, and favor the fittest individuals. Hopi rites of passage are described as an example. Reproductive maturation likewise involves adaptive morphological and behavioral changes that are reinforced by cultural mores. Males rely on intimidation more than females, in order to dominate other males and attract females; contrariwise, females employ an endearment strategy more than males do. Many sex differences in human reproductive behavior can be explained with reference to man's parental behavior pattern. These include the male's greater aggressiveness, the preponderance of polygyny over polyandry, and differences in the antecedents of jealousy. Lastly, the need for an ethological understanding of adolescence is underscored as promising to offer a useful perspective on the problems of U.S. youth.
在现代，青春期的基本“正常性”已得到认可。从其泛文化和功能的视角来看，行为学能够详细阐述对正常人类青春期的描述。行为学家试图阐明特定行为的四个相互关联的方面：其生存功能、进化、发展以及由内部和外部因素引发的过程。基本的研究策略有两个方面：识别基于生物学的或进化而来的行为（主要是通过控制经验的影响，看是否仍保留进化行为的核心）；通过分离其进化所需的必要和充分生态条件来发现它们的功能。将这种进化分析应用于人类青春期，我们发现有两个发展似乎是基本的：生殖成熟和从父母那里获得独立。本文的其余部分是根据这两种发展功能对各种行为、形态和文化数据的解读。青春期的时间安排似乎是为了最有效地促进这些功能。青春期的变化与身体生长并行，并且会因营养不良、疾病和心理压力而延迟——这些模式与功能方面的考虑是一致的。还强调了自然选择对青春期事件顺序的影响。说明了青春期激素在改变行为以及形态方面的作用。青少年通过成熟和性别分化从父母那里获得独立。男性变得专门从事剧烈活动，而女性则专门从事定居点附近的工作——尽管两性在形态和行为倾向方面存在相当大的重叠。性别分化的各种例子展示了形态、行为和文化因素是如何相互补充的。青少年的入会仪式有助于引导男孩和女孩进入合适的成人角色，教导对自己文化的尊重，并青睐最适应的个体。以霍皮人的成年仪式为例进行了描述。生殖成熟同样涉及适应性的形态和行为变化，这些变化会因文化习俗而得到强化。男性比女性更依赖恐吓，以便支配其他男性并吸引女性；相反，女性比男性更多地采用亲昵策略。人类生殖行为中的许多性别差异可以参照人类的亲代行为模式来解释。这些包括男性更大的攻击性、一夫多妻制比一妻多夫制更为普遍，以及嫉妒情绪产生原因的差异。最后，强调了从行为学角度理解青春期的必要性，因为这有望为美国青少年问题提供一个有用的视角。
