Clinical psychology is an applied evolutionary science

Abstract

Historically there has been only a limited relationship between clinical psychology and evolutionary science. This article considers the status of that relationship in light of a modern multi-dimensional and multi-level extended evolutionary approach. Evolution can be purposive and even conscious, and evolutionary principles can give guidance and provide consilience to clinical psychology, especially as it focuses more on processes of change. The time seems ripe to view clinical psychology as an applied evolutionary science.

Keywords: Conscious evolution; Evidence-based therapy; Evolution; Extended evolutionary synthesis; Multi-level selection; Processes of change; Selection; Variation.