Which psychological perspective focuses on how behaviors evolve to enhance survival?

The correct answer is the perspective that emphasizes how behaviors may have developed over time as adaptations to enhance survival and reproductive success. This approach draws on principles from evolutionary theory, suggesting that specific behaviors are advantageous in terms of survival and thus are passed down through generations.

Evolutionary psychology examines a variety of human behaviors, including mating strategies, parenting, and social interactions, framing them in the context of how these behaviors might have contributed to the survival of our ancestors. It posits that many psychological traits and mechanisms exist because they confer some evolutionary advantage, thereby influencing human nature and behavior over a long-term evolutionary scale.

The other perspectives focus on different aspects of psychology. Cognitive psychology primarily deals with mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving. Social psychology explores how individuals influence and are influenced by their social environments. Biological psychology examines the biological underpinnings of behavior, including the brain and nervous system, but does not specifically emphasize the evolutionary context of behaviors as adaptations for survival. Hence, the uniqueness of evolutionary psychology in framing behaviors within the context of survival makes it the correct answer.