ABSTRACT
Human life as we know it is inconceivable without the social interdependence that makes it possible, and this is true despite the vast differences between huntergatherers or the current techno-postindustrial society, namely, for both the past human existence forms and the present state of our species. From the early origins via the rise of civilizations to contemporary societies, humans have relied on social bonds and collectives from small groups to larger entities like communities, tribes, nations, and (sub)cultures. The pronounced and multifaceted sociality of humans presumably has substantially contributed to their evolution and their remarkable success as a species (e.g., Dunbar, 1993) and pervades virtually all types of human activities around the world. Even today’s Western societies, despite many claims of their individualistic orientation, rely on socially coordinated action. People’s fates have become more and more dependent upon the actions of others, many of whom are anonymous and live in different parts of the globe.
