Culture and Evolution

Culture and Evolution #

Why are humans so successful? #

• Compared to other animals, humans appear fragile, weak

1. We ate all the big animals #

• Extinction of megafauna correlated w/ arrival of humans

2. Only 1 species of great ape survived? #

• Genetic variation among humans very low

-1. Not because of our intelligence #

• Europeans on expeditions often starved, while indigenous tribes thrived
  • Example: Burke & Wills expedition -> died by starvation b/c they didn’t know how to process the local foods, despite being “highly trained” and educated by European Standards

3. Culture #

• Humans can survive anywhere, as long as we have past knowledge
• Example: Lost woman of Catalina (Juana Maria) -> well adapted and flourished in native environment, but died of dysentery after being “rescued” by colonizers

Dual-Inheritance Theory #

Genes influence behaviors, behaviors influence genes

• Culture can’t be understood without population thinking

  • Culture emerges from populations, not individuals
  • Evolution is change in a population
  • Genetic evolution = change in genes
  • Cultural evolution = change in behaviors
  • (influence each other!)

• Culture matters more to humans than other species

  • Individuals acquire culture
  • More cumulative culture ⇔ stronger gene-culture interaction
  • Culture is critical for survival: humans dependent on domesticated grains
    • Example: agriculture → changed diet → more folate → depigmentation of skin (of culture leading to genetic change)

Summary #

1. Population thinking
2. Link cultural, genetic change
3. Culture changes nature of human evolution
4. Culture necessary for design problem
5. Culture is a part of human behavior
6. Culture makes us odd
   • Ritualistic behavior

Evolution of Human Culture #

Human culture is not unique. #

• all animals learn, most socially.
• cumulative culture found in songbirds, whales, apes… (social species)
  • Capuchin monkeys: tool making only found in one population, with scarce food
  • dolphins/whales: team feeding/fishing only found in small groups
    • Dolphins -> stir up mud, whales -> sonically create bubbles

However, human culture is unique in its quantity and pervasiveness.

Human: