The Evolution of Behavior

The Evolution of Behavior, Edmond Odescalchi, Infinity Publishing.com, 2002

The author asserts that many parts of human behavior are not just aspects of human, or even Western, culture, but are programmed into our species. Behaviors like sexuality, aggression and dominance can be found in our animal ancestors and all over human society. Such things are therefore more part of evolution than of culture. It all starts with the chimpanzee, with whom humans share over 98 percent of the same DNA.

Humans and chimps have many behavioral similarities, among them, organization by group, territorial defense, xenophobia toward strangers and the ability to experience pain and fear. Human behavior reflects general primate behavior, which goes along with general evolutionary theory.

If every case of aggression between two individuals, of any species, led to the death of one of the aggressors, that species would quickly disappear. Many species have found less dangerous ways to show aggression, like ritualized fighting, threat behavior and remotivating displays. The human equivalent is things like a show of military strength and Us vs Them (anyone not part of the "group" is an outsider, and therefore subhuman). Under the stresses of war, the veneer of civilization leaves our consciences, so even the most cultured individuals are capable of committing atrocities.

It could be thought that concepts like a pecking order in society, or dominance and submission are products of our modern world, especially the 1980s yuppie days. All over the animal kingdom, there are examples of a dominant individual heading a group. Did you know that human forms of greeting and the offering of food and drinks to guests are acts of appeasement to inhibit aggression?

Why do women wear lipstick, and why is it red (not blue or orange)? The reader can find out the answer for themselves, but it has to do with the rear end of a female chimp.

This book is surprisingly good. It's short, and it presents science and human behavior in very easy to understand terms. It's even recommended for those who think that they hate science. This is well worth reading.