Jim Rutt might define evolutionary psychology as the scientific study focusing on how the human mind and behavior have been shaped by the process of evolution. Through the lens of natural selection, evolutionary psychology seeks to identify the psychological adaptations that emerged in our ancestral environments and explain how these ancient modules influence contemporary human actions and social structures. Rutt would emphasize the importance of understanding our psychological traits as products of adaptive solutions to recurring problems faced by our ancestors, addressing everything from mating strategies to social cooperation. This discipline bridges the gap between the raw mechanics of genetics and the nuanced realities of human experience, aiming to deliver a comprehensive framework for exploring the roots of human nature.

See also: evolution, cultural evolution, emergence, evolutionary computing, game theory