IntroductionThe primary purpose of this essay is to critically discuss the importance of understanding human evolution and the history of psychology for the modern psychologist. The essay aims to critically discuss the study of human evolution which includes some of the species that have evolved over the years before we have our own species, the history of psychology and the different prominent figures who are responsible for the fact that psychology is the field it is today. Finally, how understanding this can help a modern psychologist. To conclude, this essay will bring together previous research conducted on human evolution, the history of psychology and its importance for the modern psychologist. Human evolution Human evolution began with Charles Darwin who thought that humans evolved from apes, he aimed to explain this through his theory of natural selection, genetic variation and “survival of the fittest” (Ruse 2009 ). Through this insight, it has pushed all archaeologists to search the East and West African region to find fossil evidence of these apes or species from which we evolved. Through hard work and individual dedication we can now bridge the gaps between different species and how we arrived at our modern selves. Every story must have a beginning, a middle, and an end, except that this story continues as a field of psychology is becoming increasingly recognized as a distinct science and a force to be reckoned with in the field. The beginning of psychology begins with the evolution of hominids over 6 million years ago, the Australopithecines. One of the most iconic australopithecines was named Lucy. It may have evolved from a species known as A. anamnesis. Lucia was able to walk upright on two legs...... half of the paper ......and 150.Pg. 21–36Petry NM, Roll JM, (2001) A behavioral approach to understanding and treating pathological gambling. Public Health Nursing [Online](6):177-83. Available from < http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11447569 > [Last accessed 13/03/2014] Tobias PV, (1987) "The brain of Homo habilis: a new level of organization in brain evolution.' Journal of Human Evolution. Vol. 16, Issues 7–8, pp. 741–761. “Human Evolutionary Distinctiveness.” modern compared to that of Neanderthal". Current Anthropology 47. pages 597–620.Vaesen K., (2014) "Chimpocentrism and reconstructions of human evolution (a timely reminder)". Studies in the History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences 45. Pg. 12–21. Wynn, T. (1979) “The intelligence of later Acheulean hominids.”. 371–91.