Human Adaptation

by Harrison, G. A.; Morphy, Howard

• ISBN13: 9781859739587
• ISBN10: 185973958X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-06-01
• Publisher: Berg Pub Ltd

Summary

This book examines the concept of adaptation in four major fields in the human sciences. Genetic aspects are first considered through an examination of the human genes which have so far been identified as conferring survival value in particular environmental circumstances. The drift versus selection argument is also fully reviewed. The second contribution concerns the physiological changes which occur when individuals move from one environment to another. In the past, most attention has been given to the mechanisms of these changes, but here the focus is on the effects. The third contribution is directed at the analysis of behaviour - especially social behaviour. The application of kin selection and reciprocal attraction theories to humans is explored and the value of these approaches explained, whether the behaviour has a genetic basis or not. The final essay deals with the relevance of the adaptation concept to the social sciences and especially to social anthropology. It demonstrates that an ecological approach to understanding the nature and structure of human societies demands attention to adaptation. Reprinted in paperback for the first time and with a new foreword, this book, which serves as an excellent teaching text, clearly shows how attempts at integration in each of these various fields can benefit the study of human evolution, social structure and organization from all perspectives.

Table of Contents

List of contributors	xvii
1. GENETIC ADAPTATION	1	(54)
Malcolm T. Smith
Introduction	1	(4)
The detection of selection	5	(1)
Demographic measures	6	(4)
Predictions from trait biology	10	(7)
Empirical study of distributions	17	(12)
Malaria	29	(6)
Deviations from formal models	35	(5)
Miscellaneous features	40	(3)
Summary and conclusions	43	(4)
References	47	(8)
2. PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION	55	(18)
G. Ainsworth Harrison
Introduction	55	(1)
Climate	56	(2)
Infection	58	(1)
Nutrition	59	(1)
Stress	60	(1)
Adaptability and selection	61	(3)
Fitness	64	(2)
Fitness and variability	66	(4)
Conclusions	70	(1)
References	71	(2)
3. BEHAVIOURAL ADAPTATION	73	(26)
Robin I. M. Dunbar
Introduction	73	(1)
The problem of measuring adaptation	74	(4)
A peculiarly human problem	78	(4)
Is behaviour adaptive?	82	(15)
References	97	(2)
4. CULTURAL ADAPTATION	99	(52)
Howard Morphy
Introduction	99	(1)
Evolution, the environment, and culture	100	(12)
Adapting to the environment	112	(30)
Conclusion	142	(2)
Acknowledgements	144	(1)
Notes	145	(1)
References	146	(5)
INDEX	151