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The theory of evolution by natural selection can be a powerful analytic and predictive tool when applied to the study of behavior. Given that natural selection will favor characteristics that maximize an animal's ultimate reproductive success, then insofar as behavior reflects at least some genotypic component, behavior will be selected to maximize that success - will be adaptive. This basic guideline is shown to provide significant insight into numerous diverse aspects of animal parental behavior, and its application to man may well contribute to a better understanding of human behavior as well.
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David P. Barash (1976) studied this question.
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