Understanding Selectionism in Evolutionary Biology

Selectionism is a term used in evolutionary biology to describe the process of natural selection acting on a population or group of organisms. In this context, "selection" refers to the process by which certain traits or characteristics are favored over others, leading to the survival and reproduction of individuals with those traits while others without them do not survive or reproduce as well.

Selectionism is often contrasted with other factors that can influence the evolution of a population, such as genetic drift or gene flow. While these other factors can also shape the evolution of a population, selectionism emphasizes the role of natural selection in shaping the characteristics of a population over time.

In this context, "selectionists" would refer to scientists who study and focus on the role of natural selection in shaping the evolution of populations and species. These scientists might use various methods, such as experiments, observations, and mathematical modeling, to understand how selection acts on different traits and how it influences the evolution of a population or species over time.