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Ethnicity and the evolution of the tribal social instincts| old_uid | 1231 |
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| title | Ethnicity and the evolution of the tribal social instincts |
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| start_date | 2006/05/16 |
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| schedule | 15h45-17h |
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| online | no |
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| location_info | salle de conférence (1.63) |
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| summary | Most human populations are subdivided into ethnic groups which have self-ascribed membership and are marked by seemingly arbitrary traits such as distinctive styles of dress or speech. I develop a mathematical model which shows how cultural transmission gives rise to groups distinguished by both differences in social norms and in arbitrary markers despite significant mixing between them. This model indicates that ethnicity is an necessary by-product of the cultural transmission, and therefore suggests that natural selection may favor cognitive adaptations that allow individuals to make inferences about ethnic group membership. I report data consistent with this
hypothesis. |
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| responsibles | Ruiter |
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