Biological markets explain human ultrasociality. (2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sheskin, Mark; Lambert, Stéphane; Baumard, Nicolas
• Is Part Of: Behavioral and brain sciences. Volume 39(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016
• Subjects: Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Brain -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X1500117X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-525X

Abstract

Abstract: The evidence Gowdy & Krall (G&K) provide is more consistent with a biological markets explanation of human ultrasociality than a group selection explanation. Specifically, large-scale societies provide a better biological market for cooperation than do small-scale societies, allowing individuals to increase their fitness. Importantly, many of the quality-of-life costs G&K discuss (e.g., patriarchy) are not fitness costs.