Evolution and Human Kinship

By: Austin L. Hughes

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Hardcover | 1 September 1993

At a Glance

Hardcover
176 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
23.6 x 16.1 x 1.7

Hardcover

$119.85

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While there have been controversial attempts to link conclusions from sociobiological studies of animal populations to humans, few behavioral scientists or anthropologists have made serious progress. In this work, Austin Hughes presents a unique and well-defined theoretical approach to human social behavior that is rooted in evolutionary biology and sociobiology, and which is additionally viewed as a direct continuation of the structural-functional tradition in anthropological research. Using mathematical and statistical techniques, Hughes applies the principles of kin selection theory--which states that natural selection can favor social acts that increase the fitness of both individuals and their relatives--to anthropological data. Among the topics covered are the subdivision of kin groups, selection of leaders in traditional societies, patronage systems, and the correspondence between social and biological kinship. The author concludes that patterns of concentration of
relatedness are more important than average relatedness for predicting social behavior. He also shows that social interactions can often be predicted on the basis of common genetic interest in dependent offspring. The result is a major contribution to the field of behavioral biology.

Industry Reviews

'This book...throws an important new light on our understanding of inclusive fitness theory, as well as on the way we apply sociobiological principles to the study of Man. The challenge it throws at conventional sociobiological theory is bound to generate important new insights.' TREE 'Written to help, in the debate on assisted reproduction by providing relevant information on the issues under discussion.'Contemporary Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

'This book should be read by all those seriousl taking part in the debate on assisted reproduction and embryo research and the consequences...This book gives a concise and up to date description of the scientific, ehtical and legal aspects of this field and should assist better informal debate.comtemporary Reviews in Obstetrics and Ggynacology

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