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We now have the means to study the evolution of the human genome more closely than ever in the past. One of the key ideas presented by the authors is the idea of transmission fidelity. This means that culture can act as an inheritance system, promoting the transmission of certain genetic traits in a predictable fashion. This type of cultural inheritance results in distinct societies that not only share the same cultural traits, but also share similar genetic traits as well. In the past, geography and proximity to others was a factor in this process as well. Richerson, Boyd, and Henrich (2010) concluded that cultural evolution and biological evolution occur simultaneously. They also suggested that cultural evolution had a significant influence on biological evolution.
This research supports the supposition that cultural evolution has a significant effect on biological evolution. This research focused on cultural evolution, as opposed to placing the greatest emphasis on biological evolution due to the slow drift that occurs in biological evolution. Cultural evolution is more difficult to measure than biological from an empirical standpoint, particularly considering new technology in this area. However, the effects of cultural change can be documented in the human genetic code. As cultural changes, such as advancement of technology, intermarriages, alliances, disease, and migration, human biology had to adapt. Now researchers, such as those mentioned in this study are beginning to paint a picture of human cultural changes as they begin to trace the biological changes that occurred as a result of them.
Culture serves...
This research shows human diversity and society depends on culture. We are attracted to those that are like us. Richerson, Boyd, and Henrich (2010) suggest that kinship plays an important role for selective breeding. That is why certain traits have been selected among certain races, giving them their characteristic features. A few examples are red hair in those of Viking ancestry, typical Asiatic eyes, or the dark skin of those of African heritage. These genetic traits are often easily recognizable. However, they are automatically attributed to biological evolution. However, these characteristics exist more as a result of cultural, rather than biological evolution.
Bibliography
Bell, A. And Richard McElreath. Culture rather than genes provides greater scope for the evolution of large-scale human prosociality. PNAS 106 (2009): 17671-17674.
http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/faculty/Richerson/Bell%20PNAS.pdf
Boyd, R. And Peter Richerson," Gene-culture coevolution and the evolution of social institutions." In Better than Consciousness? Decision Making, The Human Mind, and Implications for Institutions. Edited by Christoph Engel and Wolf Singer. MIT
Press. 2008. pp. 305-323.
http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/faculty/Richerson/BoydRichersonBTConciousne
ss.pdf
Richerson, P., Boyd, R., and Henrich, J. Gene-culture coevolution in the age of genomics. Peter Richerson, PNAS 107 (suppl. 2) (2010): 8985-8992.
http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/faculty/Richerson/GeneCultureCoevolutionPNA
S.pdf
Bibliography
Bell, A. And Richard McElreath. Culture rather than genes provides greater scope for the evolution of large-scale human prosociality. PNAS 106 (2009): 17671-17674.
http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/faculty/Richerson/Bell%20PNAS.pdf
Boyd, R. And Peter Richerson," Gene-culture coevolution and the evolution of social institutions." In Better than Consciousness? Decision Making, The Human Mind, and Implications for Institutions. Edited by Christoph Engel and Wolf Singer. MIT
Press. 2008. pp. 305-323.
http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/faculty/Richerson/BoydRichersonBTConciousne
http://www.des.ucdavis.edu/faculty/Richerson/GeneCultureCoevolutionPNA
The combination of this information, however, forms a firm foundation for scientific research. Archeology has long been a laboratory for evolutionary studies and the field of physical anthropology has relied heavily upon archeology for documenting much of its research into the lifestyles of the ancient people that they have investigated. With the advent of DNA technology, anthropologists have been able to use the archeological specimens to trace the domestication of
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4). This idea has since been abandoned. The mythology of the Amazons, a matriarchy of warrior women, has been discounted as no more than a myth, one deriving from the deep-seated fear on the part of males that they might lose their power and authority. In matrilineal societies, men tend still to monopolize the rights of power. Some Chinese anthropologists believe the stories of true matriarchal societies in some
Cultural diversity and academic achievement are two areas where psychology has long argued over nature vs. nurture origins as though one excludes the other. The following essay attempts to structure a synthesis between the two showing that both can be integrated into one science. Biology bestows the individual with certain genetic traits; culture defines what is desirable, what is to be believed, how one is to judge, and how one
Cultural Differences of Adolescent in the United States The United States, ever since the time when its history began, has been an accumulation of different cultural patterns who took refuge here for independence in expressing the thoughts. Resiliency or adaptability is featured as a phenomenon of fruit yielding adaptability in spite of difficult or intimidating surrounding. In this paper we shall analyze the cultural differences among adolescents in the country. In
Evolution of Abnormal Psychology From the 1800's To The Present The study and treatment of psychological dysfunction has evolved from early history until the present day. Prior to the 1800's, society believed deviant or abnormal behaviors were caused by supernatural forces or biological factors. Treatments for psychological problems prior to the 18th century included exorcisms and bloodletting. Early beliefs about the origins of emotional disturbances influenced public perceptions of mental illness