Functional Organization of the Human Mind: Implications for Behavioral Genetics Research

Document Type

Article

Authors

David C. Geary, University of Missouri

Abstract

It is proposed that the fundamental goal of human behavior is to organize and control the social, biological, and physical environments that support reproduction and survival and that the human mind is organized as a system of social, biological, and physical modules that support attempts to seek such control. More precisely, modules are systems of motivational, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral processes that provide the interface between this fundamental goal and the environments within which this goal must be achieved. An outline of this functional systems approach to the human mind is provided and the implications of this perspective for behavioral genetics research are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Geary, David C. (1998) "Functional Organization of the Human Mind: Implications for Behavioral Genetics Research," Human Biology: Vol. 70: Iss. 2, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol70/iss2/3