Which field of study focuses on the roots of behavior and mental processes through the principles of natural selection?

The field of study that focuses on the roots of behavior and mental processes through the principles of natural selection is evolutionary psychology. This discipline examines how evolutionary principles such as adaptation, survival, and reproduction influence human thought and behavior. By considering the historical context in which certain behaviors developed, evolutionary psychology seeks to understand why certain mental processes and behaviors may have been advantageous for our ancestors and how they persist in contemporary human beings. This perspective integrates the understanding of psychology with the insights provided by evolutionary biology, thereby offering a comprehensive view of human behavior from both a biological and psychological standpoint.

Behavior genetics, while related, specifically explores the roles of genetic and environmental influences on behavior rather than the evolutionary context. Cognitive psychology focuses on mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving, not directly on evolutionary influences. Developmental psychology studies the changes in behavior and mental processes over the lifespan, but it does not specifically address the role of natural selection in shaping those behaviors. Thus, evolutionary psychology is the most fitting choice for this question.