ABSTRACT

If evolution has changed humans physically, has it also affected human behavior? Drawing on evolutionary psychology, sociobiology, and human behavioral ecology, Human Nature and the Evolution of Society explores the evolutionary dynamics underlying social life.

In this introduction to human behavior and the organization of social life, Stephen K. Sanderson discusses traditional subjects like mating behavior, kinship, parenthood, status-seeking, and violence, as well as important topics seldom included in books of this type, especially gender, economies, politics, foodways, race and ethnicity, and the arts. Examples and research on a wide range of human societies, both industrial and nonindustrial, are integrated throughout. With chapter summaries of key points, thoughtful discussion questions, and important terms defined within the text, the result is a broad-ranging and comprehensive consideration of human society, thoroughly grounded in an evolutionary perspective.

chapter 1|17 pages

Theoretical Foundations

chapter 2|21 pages

Beginnings

chapter 3|36 pages

Getting a Living

chapter 4|29 pages

Foodways

chapter 5|53 pages

Finding Mates

chapter 6|26 pages

Family and Marriage

chapter 7|28 pages

Parenthood

chapter 8|30 pages

Gender

chapter 9|19 pages

Status and Wealth

chapter 10|22 pages

Power and Politics

chapter 11|30 pages

Violence

chapter 12|22 pages

Race and Ethnicity

chapter 13|16 pages

Religion

chapter 14|25 pages

Arts

chapter Epo|6 pages

Evolution and Existence