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Abstract
Predation, natural disasters, and infectious diseases have endangered Homo Sapiens throughout its evolution, and adaptations to these ecological threats have impacted our emotions, cognitions, and behaviors. In three different studies, we investigated these threats from an evolutionary perspective. In Study 1 we systematically reviewed the literature that has compared phylogenetic and ontogenetic threats. The results show that while ancient and modern threats differ, this difference might not be in the direction predicted by biological preparedness. Moreover, natural and technological disasters have been absent from these studies. Study 2, compared emotional responses to natural and technological disasters and indicated that although natural disasters kill more people, cause more injuries, and cost more financial damage, technological disasters are rated as more unpleasant. Study 3 reviewed theories that consider ecological factors (natural disasters, climate, infectious diseases, etc.) as drivers of collectivism. The results show that parasite stress theory, which proposes pathogenic stress as a strong driver of collectivism provides a better evolutionary explanation regarding the ultimate causes of collectivism and is backed by empirical support but has many methodological issues that should be addressed. These studies’ implications and future directions researchers can take to advance evolutionary understanding of ecological threats are discussed.