Most middle school students comprehend that organisms have adaptations that enable their survival and that successful adaptations prevail in a population over time. Yet they often miss that those bird beaks, moth-wing colors, or whatever traits are the result of random, normal genetic variations that just happen to confer a negative, neutral, or…

"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." This was the title of an essay by geneticist Theodosius Dobzhansky writing in 1973. Many causes have been given for the increased Cesarean section rate in developed countries, but biologic evolution has not been one of them. The C-section rate will continue to rise, because the…

Presents a perspective on evolution which includes an explanation of the textbook theory of evolution, a review of evolutionary theory before Darwin, and an outline of Darwin's early theories. Describes a rethinking of evolutionary theory to include natural selection, conservative selection, discontinous evolution, catastrophism, and the…

Discusses how genetic data on present human population relationships and data from the Pleistocene fossil hominid record are being used to compare two contrasting models for the origin of modern humans. (TW)

Written in response to an earlier article questioning certain aspects of evolution theory. Discusses ontogeny and phylogeny, the basis of evolution, chance or purpose in evolution, micro and macro-evolution, reversibility, and the evolution processes today. (MA)

Discusses the origin and intended meaning of the phrase "survival of the fittest." Traces the concept of "fitness" in a neo-Darwinian sense and outlines the use of the term in other contexts. (Author/MA)

The author proposes a framework for the study of behavior and personality that takes into account phylogeny (development of genetically related groups of organisms) as well as ontogeny (course of development of an individual organism). The adaptive function of behavior is stressed. The author states that individual personality is a unique…

In this review educational researchers are apprised of some potentially important developments in evolutionary biology. The field is outlined as it is spelled out in two recent books on sociobiology and behavior. The relationship between the two areas is discussed. (Author/GC)

Discussed is the potential of vestigial structures and unexpressed developmental patterns from an organism's natural history to provide for rapid morphological change based on small genetic change which may call these suppressed attributes back into action in modified form. (RE)

Presents pro and con comments with regards to 1975 APA presidential address under the heading of biological versus social evolution. Other comments are subsumed under the headings of the genetic basis of behavior-especially of altruism, and the value of tradition. (Author/AM)

Notes that most of those who criticized the authors' 1975 APA presidential address seem to explicitly or implicitly share the belief that issues discussed are important areas of study on which divergent perspectives should be developed and discussed even where the best available evidence falls far short of dependable scientific fact. (Author/AM)

Interprets Edward Spranger's "Forms of Life" against the background of the findings of modern biology. Shows how far Spranger's diagnosis of different human types, which are not affected by external influences on characteristics, conform with research hypotheses of modern biological sciences. (CAJ)

Contends that the natural science curriculum does not prepare biology students for understanding the process of evolution. Proposes improved teaching approaches related to geological time, the natural transition of earth environments, the variability and alteration of genetic makeup, and the biological potential of species as being necessary for…

Presents an overview of the contributors' reactions and summarizes the controversies which arose from the 1975 APA presidential address. Thoughts on behaviorism as well as evolutionary theory in American psychology are also presented. (Author/AM)