The Evolutionary Psychology Of Anxiety & Depression - Ed Hagen

TL;DR

Researchers hypothesize that the sex difference in depression is related to strength differences, and that depression and suicidality serve as credible signals of adversity and the need for social support in order to improve biological fitness.

Transcript

our hypothesis was that the sex difference in depression is really a strength difference not a sex difference and so what we found is that when we controlled for upper body strength the sex difference in depression diminished and actually went away in some of our analyzes suggesting that once you control for the differences in strength between the ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎴 Physical strength is associated with lower rates of depression, suggesting that strength differences play a role in the sex difference in depression.
• 🛟 Depression is a response to adversity and serves as a signal of the need to address social and emotional problems.
• 💨 Suicidality may function as a credible signal of need and a way to generate social support in times of adversity.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does physical strength relate to the sex difference in depression?

Physical strength plays a role in the sex difference in depression, with stronger individuals being less likely to become depressed. This suggests that the difference in depression rates may be due to strength differences rather than inherent sex differences.

Q: What is the function of psychic pain and depression?

Psychic pain, similar to physical pain, serves as a signal that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. In the case of depression, it signals the need to stop engaging in behaviors that may have led to adversity and to focus attention on problem-solving and seeking support.

Q: Why would someone engage in suicidal behavior if they are experiencing adversity?

Suicidality may serve as a credible signal of need and a way to convince social partners that one is genuinely in need of help. Taking a risk of death by engaging in suicidal behavior can generate social support and assistance in addressing the adversity.

Q: How does adversity relate to depression?

Adversity, such as social conflict and loss, increases the risk of experiencing depression. Depression is a response to adversity and serves as a way to signal the need for help and support in dealing with the challenges.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The sex difference in depression can be attributed to differences in physical strength, with stronger individuals being less likely to become depressed.

• Depression is a response to adversity, and experiencing adversity increases the risk of depression.

• Depression may be understood as a form of psychic pain, similar to physical pain, that signals the need to address social and emotional problems.

• Suicidality may function as a credible signal of need, indicating a lack of social support and a need for help in addressing adversity.