Credible sadness, coercive sadness: Depression as a functional response to adversity and strife

Edward H. Hagen*, Kristen L. Syme

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book / Report / Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Evolutionary medicine offers the insight that many unpleasant conditions such as physical pain are not harmful in themselves, but are evolved mechanisms to mitigate harm. A major goal of the field is to distinguish illnesses from aversive conditions that are evolved defenses. There are numerous evolutionary theories of depression, but many fail to account for the central role of conflict and cannot explain suicidality. This chapter reviews evidence from Western and non-Western societies that depression is caused by adversity, conflict, and powerlessness. The most parsimonious theory is that depression evolved, in part, as a form of psychological pain that functions to mitigate harm, credibly signal need, and coerce help when the powerless are in conflicts with powerful others.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Oxford Handbook of Evolution and the Emotions
EditorsLaith Al-Shawaf, Todd K. Shackelford
PublisherThe Oxford University Press
Chapter59
Pages1134-1171
Number of pages38
ISBN (Electronic)9780197544785
ISBN (Print)9780197544754
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Oxford University Press 2024. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Cross-cultural
  • Depression
  • Evolutionary medicine
  • Mental health
  • Suicide

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