Evolution of Human Behavior
Fuentes A. 2009. Evolution of Human Behavior. Oxford University Press; New York. 300 pp. ISBN 978-0-19-533358-9.
Description:
The goal of this book is to present an accessible overview of the different approaches used in the study of the evolution of human behavior from both a comparative and theoretical perspective. The author presents a history of various ideas and hypotheses regarding human behavioral evolution, in order to synthesize current research and to integrate varying perspectives in the hopes of keeping such investigations progressive and dynamic. The first chapter introduces the reader to theories and hypotheses about behavioral evolution, and demonstrates why it is important to critically investigate this topic and the processes that guide it. The following three chapters provide an adept and brief outline of historical and theoretical perspectives on the evolution of human behaviour, as well as an overview of the human fossil and inferred behavioral record. Chapters five and six summarise and discuss 38 proposals that illuminate why humans behave as they do. Various point of view emerge from diverse disciplines including, among others, human behavioural ecology, evolutionary psychology and memetics. Shared components between these leading views are displayed in table form, allowing for easy reference regarding six core human behavioural factors (e.g. dietary practice, ecological pressure, etc). Chapter seven outlines four important research avenues and current innovations that, when integrated with extant theoretical perspectives, may enhance our enquiry and understanding of the processes and patterns of human behavioural evolution. In the final chapters, the author presents his own viewpoints for an outline of human behavioural evolution. Additionally, he identifies key commonalities within the 38 proposals identified earlier, and discusses each one in context of past anthropological approaches and current paradigm difficulties. This book offers a holistic approach to understanding human behavior through an investigation of past and present thought in order to construct integrated and testable hypotheses that move us closer to understanding our 2 million year behavioral evolutionary history.
