The science of Evolutionary Psychology considers the problems and solutions faced by early humans and the strategies they developed to survive their environment. These strategies can be defined as adapted behaviors.
Over hundreds of thousands of years, these adapted behaviors continue to influence human thought patterns, decisions, and choices; often at an unconscious level. Some of these adaptations include: choosing a mate, altruism, risk-taking, conformity, social connections, family dynamics, protection of kin, and even offensive behaviors such as cheating, racism, and violence.
How might these unconscious thought patterns play out in our lives today? We may see them in dysfunctional relationships, troubled marriages, and problems with our peers. They may lead to jealousy, domestic violence, shaming behavior, fear, anxiety, and depression. However, once we identify them in our lives, and work to make our unconscious conscious, we can better explore why we, and others, behave the way they do.
Collective Unconscious
Evolutionary Psychology parallels Carl Jung’s work on unconscious human behavior which he labeled as, the Collective Unconscious. Within the collective unconscious lay Archetypes, which are at the most basic level of human instincts and behaviors. These innate behaviors have passed from one generation to another since the beginning of time. Archetypes have been incorporated into our relationship between myth, esoteric teaching, and the telling of fairytales as symbolic narratives, metaphors, and allegory.
References:
Carl Jung, The Collected Works, Vol.9,I, The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious, copyright© 1959,1969 (Princeton: Princeton University Press), 91-92