Synthesis in the human evolutionary behavioural sciences

Sear, Rebecca, Lawson, David W. and Dickins, Thomas E. (2007) Synthesis in the human evolutionary behavioural sciences. Journal of Evolutionary Psychology, 5 (1-4). pp. 3-28. ISSN 1589-7397

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Abstract

Over the last three decades, the application of evolutionary theory to the human sciences has shown remarkable growth. This growth has also been characterised by a ‘splitting’ process, with the emergence of distinct sub-disciplines, most notably: Human Behavioural Ecology (HBE), Evolutionary Psychology (EP) and studies of Cultural Evolution (CE). Multiple applications of evolutionary ideas to the human sciences are undoubtedly a good thing, demonstrating the usefulness of this approach to human affairs. Nevertheless, this fracture has been associated with considerable tension, a lack of integration, and sometimes outright conflict between researchers. In recent years however, there have been clear signs of hope that a synthesis of the human evolutionary behavioural sciences is underway. Here, we briefly review the history of the debate, both its theoretical and practical causes; then provide evidence that the field is currently becoming more integrated, as the traditional boundaries between sub-disciplines become blurred. This article constitutes the first paper under the new editorship of the Journal of Evolutionary Psychology, which aims to further this integration by explicitly providing a forum for integrated work.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://www.akademiai.com/content/120852/
Divisions:	Social Policy LSE Health CPNSS
Subjects:	Q Science > QL Zoology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
Date Deposited:	11 Sep 2008 15:27
Last Modified:	11 Dec 2024 23:08
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/21227

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