ELI5 : Why do we as humans have so many negative psychological traits ? Things like arrogance, cynicism or jealousy. Why do we feel them and what benefit do they bring to our species ?

Humans are somewhat odd when it comes to adaptive advantages. While we are subject to the forces of evolution, there is a shift due to complex social structures.

For instance: Arrogance - Believing you’re the best will give you the drive to hunt better, fight better, etc., leading to selection in early hominids.

In modern times where technology has gotten rid of the need to fight to survive, you see the previously positive traits become refit, if you will, for social selection.

I think it is safe to assume a CEO is arrogant, intelligent, and sociopathic to some degree.

These are positives for reaching the millions of dollars that draws in a higher class of partners, but they are objectively detrimental to the social wellbeing of humanity as a whole.

Say this CEO has 10 kids who are arrogant due to selection in this case. Let’s assume none of them go on to be successful due to trust fund money or what have you. Now the positive trait has become a negative trait because of the social dynamic.

I digress, there’s so much I have to gloss over here lol

/r/explainlikeimfive Thread