Cultural vs. Biological Evolution Cultural

Cultural vs. Biological Evolution

Cultural Evolution vs. Biological Evolution

Biological and cultural evolution have many similarities. For instance, they both take place slowly over time. They both result in an organism that is substantially different from its predecessors. We, as humans, have another means aside from biology to use to evolve. In all other species, biology is the sole mean by which they evolve. However, with humans, it has been suggested that cultural evolution does not stand alone from biological evolution. This research will examine the fundamental similarities and differences between cultural and biological evolution. It will support the thesis that cultural evolution has a significant impact on biological evolution, even though they are actually two separate concepts.

It has been suggested that biological changes are a result of cultural changes, for instance the movement from hunter gathers to an agrarian society (Richerson, Boyd, and Henrich, 2010). This forced humans to do different activities during their day. Over time, it has been suggested that this forced a biological adaptation in their digestive tract, their musculature and many other biological features. Others suggest that cultural changes were a result of biological evolutionary changes. This conundrum has plagued anthropologists for many years and at present, there is support for both sides.

One of the key differences between biological and cultural evolution is that biological evolution is slow and happens over many generations. However, and idea can spread rapidly through a society. Many times, it does not even take a day, given the speed of the Internet. Today, cultural changes occur quite rapidly. Even if you go back 10,000 years, learning spread quickly from one generation to another, as a parent learned new skills and taught their children. Biological evolution could never keep up with cultural evolution in higher order creatures.

Support tends to lean towards culture, rather than biology, to account for the wide range of large-scale social behaviors in humans. This study suggests that studying the dynamics of how variations are maintained in large groups explains diversity in human behavior. Bell and McElreath (2009) suggest that cumulative cultural changes resulted in rapid human divergence. They also suggest that these cultural divergences had an effect on biology, as they determined which groups would interbreed with whom. Those who were neighbors were more likely to interbreed than those who were distant. Neighbors were also in direct competition for resources.

Boyd and Richerson (2008) suggested that repeated interactions allow a vast range of stable social equilibrium to occur. Primarily, punishment serves as a stabilizing force, as it attempts to eliminate behaviors that are not in alignment with the norms of the society. The authors provide another example, that of immigration. Immigrants are outside of the norm, they must adapt and normalize in order to fit into society and to be able to provide for their basic needs. This normalization process helps to stabilize society and the cultural norms within it.

Richerson, Boyd, and Henrich (2010) examined the primary question of whether genetic response was a direct result of cultural changes, primarily form a hunter/gatherer society to an agriculturally-based society. 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.