Habitat Selection Framework
Selecting environments for survival
The Habitat Selection Framework proposes that humans have evolved to prefer certain types of environments, such as savannas, due to their ancestral history. This framework consists of three stages: selection, information gathering, and exploitation. In the selection stage, individuals assess the environment for its potential dangers and resources. In the information gathering stage, individuals explore the environment to gather more information about its resources and potential threats. In the exploitation stage, individuals decide whether to stay in the environment long enough to reap its benefits.
- Humans have evolved to prefer certain types of environments due to their ancestral history.
- The selection stage of habitat selection involves assessing the environment for potential dangers and resources.
- The information gathering stage of habitat selection involves exploring the environment to gather more information about its resources and potential threats.
- Selection StageAssess the environment for potential dangers and resources.Pro tipConsider the environment's canopy shape, density, and trunk height.WarningBe cautious of environments with dense canopies or skimpy vegetation.
- Information Gathering StageExplore the environment to gather more information about its resources and potential threats.Pro tipLook for paths that wind around a bend and hills that promise something lying beyond them.WarningBe aware of potential dangers such as snakes or other predators.
- Exploitation StageDecide whether to stay in the environment long enough to reap its benefits.Pro tipConsider the environment's resources, such as food and water, and potential threats, such as predators.WarningBe cautious of environments that may leave you vulnerable to predators or other dangers.
The savanna hypothesis proposes that humans have evolved to prefer environments with characteristics similar to those of the savannas in which they evolved.
The Habitat Selection Framework was developed based on research on human environmental preferences and evolutionary psychology. Studies have shown that humans tend to prefer environments with certain characteristics, such as moderately dense canopies and trunks that separate near the ground.