Alle Publikationen
2018
-
(2018): Fair is foul, and foul is fair. Experimental evolutionary studies of mismatch. In: Journal of Bioeconomics 20 (1), S. 153-157. DOI: 10.1007/s10818-017-9266-7
Abstract: We describe two types of experimental evolution studies of 'mismatch' that are relevant to economics. 'Evolutionary mismatch' is the concept that an organism can be importantly 'out of sync' with its environment. In such cases, an organism may choose an option that is inferior to a feasible alternative. Mainstream and behavioral economics do not address the notion of evolutionary mismatch. We argue for an empirical program on mismatch utilizing the methodology of experimental evolution. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)
2017
-
(2017): The Evolutionary Mismatch Hypothesis. Implications for Psychological Science. In: Current Directions in Psychological Science 27 (1), S. 38-44. DOI: 10.1177/0963721417731378
Abstract: Human psychological mechanisms are adaptations that evolved to process environmental inputs, turning them into behavioral outputs that, on average, increase survival or reproductive prospects. Modern contexts, however, differ vastly from the environments that existed as human psychological mechanisms evolved. Many inputs now differ in quantity and intensity or no longer have the same fitness associations, thereby leading many mechanisms to produce maladaptive output. We present the precepts of this evolutionary mismatch process, highlight areas of mismatch, and consider implications for psychological science and policy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved) zitiert von 3
-
(2017) : Culture, Brain, and Behavior In: Tibayrenc, Michel; Ayala, Francisco José (Hg.): On human nature: Biology, psychology, ethics, politics, and religion: Amsterdam; Boston; Heidelberg; London; New York; Oxford; Paris; San Diego; San Francisco; Singapore; Sydney; Tokio: Academic Press an imprint of Elsevier, S. 579-597
Abstract: This chapter discusses the reciprocal development of genes, brain, and culture in shaping significant aspects of social and political behavior. The interaction between biology and culture is mutually reciprocal and intertwined. Processes of neural plasticity allow cultural practices to inform brain development in a profoundly social context just as human imagination and invention can shift cultural practices over time. This chapter outlines work that has examined these interconnections and ways in which future research might study developmental effects to enlighten our understanding of important social and political phenomena, including the emergence and manifestation of mental illness and political polarization.
2016
-
(2016): Towards a Computational Comparative Neuroprimatology. Framing the language-ready brain. In: PHYSICS OF LIFE REVIEWS 16, S. 1-54. DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2015.09.003
DOI: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26482863 Abstract: We make the case for developing a Computational Comparative Neuroprimatology to inform the analysis of the function and evolution of the human brain. First, we update the mirror system hypothesis on the evolution of the language-ready brain by (i) modeling action and action recognition and opportunistic scheduling of macaque brains to hypothesize the nature of the last common ancestor of macaque and human (LCA-m); and then we (ii) introduce dynamic brain modeling to show how apes could acquire gesture through ontogenetic ritualization, hypothesizing the nature of evolution from LCA-m to the last common ancestor of chimpanzee and human (LCA-c). We then (iii) hypothesize the role of imitation, pantomime, protosign and protospeech in biological and cultural evolution from LCA-c to Homo sapiens with a language-ready brain. Second, we suggest how cultural evolution in Homo sapiens led from protolanguages to full languages with grammar and compositional semantics. Third, we assess the similarities and differences between the dorsal and ventral streams in audition and vision as the basis for presenting and comparing two models of language processing in the human brain: A model of (i) the auditory dorsal and ventral streams in sentence comprehension; and (ii) the visual dorsal and ventral streams in defining "what language is about" in both production and perception of utterances related to visual scenes provide the basis for (iii) a first step towards a synthesis and a look at challenges for further research.
Keywords: Animals, Ape gesture, Auditive Faktoren, Biological Evolution, Computational Biology, Cultural evolution, Dorsal and ventral stream, dorsale und ventrale Ströme, Dyadic brain modeling, dynamic brain modelling, Evolution, Gehirnfunktion, Grammatik, Humans, Im (wissenschaftlichen) Diskurs, Imitation, Intellektualtechnik, Kogn. Architektur, kognitive Architekturen, Kognitive Skills/Social Cognition, Kompositionale Semantik, Künstliche Intelligenz, Language, Language evolution, language-ready brain, Mensch-Technik-Relationen (MTR), Models, Neurological, Ontologische Differenzierungen: Tier, Mensch, Maschine, Pantomime, Primates, Protosprachen, Psychomotor Performance, Realtechnik, Reflexionen über MTR, sprachbereites Gehirn, Sprache, Sprachevolution, Sprachfähigkeit, Sprachverstehen, Technik, Tier, Mensch, Maschine, Tier-Mensch-Vergleich, Vollsprachigkeit (vs. Protosprachigkeit) -
(2016): Models of the evolution of fairness in the ultimatum game. A review and classification. In: Evolution and Human Behavior 37 (3), S. 245-254. DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2016.01.001
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2016.01.001 Abstract: In the ultimatum game, two people need to agree on the division of a sum of money. People usually divide money equally for the sake of fairness, and prefer to suffer financial losses rather than accept unfair divisions, contradicting the predictions of orthodox game theory. Models aimed at accounting for the evolution of such irrational preferences have put forward a great variety of explanations: biological, cultural, learning-based, human-specific (or not), etc. This diversity reflects the current absence of consensus in the scientific community, and possibly even an absence of debate. Here, we review 36 theoretical models of the evolution of human fairness published in the last 30 years, and identify six families into which they can all be broadly classified. We point out connections between the different families, and instantiate five of the mainstream models in the form of agent-based simulations for purposes of comparison. We identify a variety of theoretical, terminological, and conceptual problems that currently undermine progress in the field. Finally, we suggest directions for future research, and in particular the modeling of the evolution of fairness in a wider and more realistic range of situations.
-
(2016): A Critical Social Systems View of the Internet. In: Philosophy of the Social Sciences 37 (4), S. 471-500. DOI: 10.1177/0048393107307664
-
(2016): A Critical Social Systems View of the Internet. In: Philosophy of the Social Sciences 37 (4), S. 471-500. DOI: 10.1177/0048393107307664
Abstract: The article discusses principles that form part of evolutionary systems thinking in social sciences and humanities. It is argued that introducing the concept of self-organization relates agency and structures in a way that makes it possible to take up certain features of Critical Theory by which it can meet the demands for a critical social science. These principles are applied to the question of whether there is convergence or divergence in and by means of the Internet. It will be clarified that the Internet is basically a social system and that it is a subsystem of the larger and overarching system of the whole society. It will be shown how the Internet can be perceived as a possible trigger for societal developments bringing about fundamental change in the nature of society. Thus the article cuts across philosophical, system theoretical, social theoretical, sociology of technology, and information society theory considerations.
Keywords: agency, critical Theory, Disziplin, dynamic, epistemology, Evolution, Handlungsmacht, information society, Informations- & Kommunikationstechnik, Internet, Kritische Theorie, mechanism, Mensch-Technik-Relationen (MTR), Philosophie, Realtechnik, revolution, Selbstorganisation, self-organization, social system, social systems, soziales System, Soziologie, STS, Technik -
(2016): The when and who of social learning and conformist transmission. In: Evolution and Human Behavior 37 (1), S. 10-20. DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2015.05.004
Abstract: Formal evolutionary models predict when individuals rely on social learning over individual learning and the relative strength of their conformist social learning biases. Here we use both treatment effects and individual variation to test predictions about the impact of (1) the number of traits in an environment, (2) the adaptive or payoff relevance of those traits, (3) the fidelity of transmission, and (4) the size of groups. We find that both social learning and the strength of conformist transmission increase with the number of traits, the adaptive value of those traits, and the fidelity of transmission. The strength of conformist transmission increases with group size, but only when there were 2 traits in the environment. Using individual-level variation and recognizing that treatment effects predictably impact individuals differently, we show that IQ negatively predicts social learning, but has a U-shaped relationship to conformist transmission, suggesting strategic use of conformist-biased social learning among those with the highest IQ. Other plausible predictors, such as status, cultural background, and personality, were not predictive. Broadly, our results reveal that not only is the conformist transmission bias ubiquitous, but that past experiments, both human and non-human, have likely underestimated its prevalence and the prevalence of social learning by restricting designs to only 2 traits.
2015
-
(2015): Measuring social complexity. In: Animal Behaviour 103, S. 203-209. DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.02.018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.02.018 Abstract: In one of the first formulations of the social complexity hypothesis, Humphrey (1976, page 316, Growing Points in Ethology, Cambridge University Press) predicts ‘that there should be a positive correlation across species between social complexity and individual intelligence’. However, in the many ensuing tests of the hypothesis, surprisingly little consideration has been given to measures of the independent variable in this evolutionary relationship, that is, social complexity. Here, we seek to encourage more rigorous measures of social complexity. We first review previous definitions of this variable and point to two common flaws; a lack of objectivity and a failure to directly connect sociality to the use of cognition. We argue that, rather than creating circularity, including cognition in the definition of social complexity is necessary for accurately testing the social complexity hypothesis. We propose a new definition of social complexity that is based on the number of differentiated relationships that individuals have. We then demonstrate that the definition is both broadly applicable and flexible, allowing researchers to include more detailed information about the degree of differentiation among individuals when the data are available. While we see this definition of social complexity as one possible way forward, our larger goal is to encourage researchers examining the social complexity hypothesis to carefully consider their measurement of social complexity.
-
Goldstein, Sam; Princiotta, Dana; Naglieri, Jack A.; Goldstein, Sam (Ed); Princiotta, Dana (Ed); Naglieri, Jack A. (Ed) (Hg.) (2015): Handbook of intelligence: Evolutionary theory, historical perspective, and current concepts. New York, NY, US: Springer Science + Business Media
Keywords: Evolution -
(2015): Leadership in small-scale societies. Some implications for theory, research, and practice. In: The Leadership Quarterly 26 (6), S. 978-990. DOI: 10.1016/j.leaqua.2015.10.004
Abstract: Leadership studies concentrate on large-scale societies and organizations with formal hierarchies, large power differences, and diverse membership. Much less is known about leadership in small-scale, homogeneous, and relatively egalitarian societies in which humans have spent most of their existence. We summarize the anthropological literature on leadership from traditional, small-scale societies in terms of (1) the functions and roles of leaders; (2) the traits and behaviors conducive to leader emergence and effectiveness; and (3) the motivations and incentives to assume leadership positions. We address how studies of leadership in small-scale societies inform theory development. By viewing leadership and followership in light of our evolutionary history in small-scale societies, we shed new light on outstanding questions in leadership research and on challenges for leadership practice. zitiert von 22
Keywords: ANTHROPOLOGY, Evolution, Followership, Führung, Leadership, POWER, science direct, Small-scale society -
(2015): Social cognition. In: Animal Behaviour 103, S. 191-202. DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.01.030
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.01.030 Abstract: The social intelligence hypothesis argues that competition and cooperation among individuals have shaped the evolution of cognition in animals. What do we mean by social cognition? Here we suggest that the building blocks of social cognition are a suite of skills, ordered roughly according to the cognitive demands they place upon individuals. These skills allow an animal to recognize others by various means; to recognize and remember other animals' relationships; and, perhaps, to attribute mental states to them. Some skills are elementary and virtually ubiquitous in the animal kingdom; others are more limited in their taxonomic distribution. We treat these skills as the targets of selection, and assume that more complex levels of social cognition evolve only when simpler methods are inadequate. As a result, more complex levels of social cognition indicate greater selective pressures in the past. The presence of each skill can be tested directly through field observations and experiments. In addition, the same methods that have been used to compare social cognition across species can also be used to measure individual differences within species and to test the hypothesis that individual differences in social cognition are linked to differences in reproductive success.
2014
-
(2014): Profiling nonhuman intelligence. An exercise in developing unbiased tools for describing other “types” of intelligence on earth. In: Acta Astronautica 94 (2), S. 676-680. DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2013.08.007
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2013.08.007 Abstract: Intelligence has historically been studied by comparing nonhuman cognitive and language abilities with human abilities. Primate-like species, which show human-like anatomy and share evolutionary lineage, have been the most studied. However, when comparing animals of non-primate origins our abilities to profile the potential for intelligence remains inadequate. Historically our measures for nonhuman intelligence have included a variety of tools: (1) physical measurements – brain to body ratio, brain structure/convolution/neural density, presence of artifacts and physical tools, (2) observational and sensory measurements – sensory signals, complexity of signals, cross-modal abilities, social complexity, (3) data mining – information theory, signal/noise, pattern recognition, (4) experimentation – memory, cognition, language comprehension/use, theory of mind, (5) direct interfaces – one way and two way interfaces with primates, dolphins, birds and (6) accidental interactions – human/animal symbiosis, cross-species enculturation. Because humans tend to focus on “human-like” attributes and measures and scientists are often unwilling to consider other “types” of intelligence that may not be human equated, our abilities to profile “types” of intelligence that differ on a variety of scales is weak. Just as biologists stretch their definitions of life to look at extremophiles in unusual conditions, so must we stretch our descriptions of types of minds and begin profiling, rather than equating, other life forms we may encounter. COMPLEX (COmplexity of Markers for Profiling Life in EXobiology) offers a new approach to profile a variety of organisms along multiple dimensions including EQ – Encephalization Quotient, CS – Communication Signal complexity, IC – Individual Complexity, SC – Social Complexity and II – Interspecies Interaction. Because Earth species are found along a variety of continuums, defining an intelligence profile along these different trajectories rather than comparing them only to human intelligence, may give us insight into a potential tool for quickly assessing unknown species. The application of profiling nonhuman species, out of world, will be both observational and potentially interactive in some way. Using profiles and indicators gleaned from Earth species to help us develop profiles and using pattern recognition, modeling and other data mining techniques could help jump start our understanding of other organisms and their potential for certain “types” of intelligence.
-
(2014): Art as behaviour – an ethological approach to visual and verbal art, music and architecture. In: Anthropologischer Anzeiger 71 (1), S. 3-13. DOI: 10.1127/0003-5548/2014/0371
Abstract: In recent years, the fine arts, architecture, music and literature have increasingly been examined from the vantage point of human ethology and evolutionary psychology. In 2011 the authors formed the research group 'Ethology of the Arts' concentrating on the evolution and biology of perception and behaviour. These novel approaches aim at a better understanding of the various facets represented by the arts by taking into focus possible phylogenetic adaptations, which have shaped the artistic capacities of our ancestors. Rather than culture specificity, which is stressed e.g. by cultural anthropology and numerous other disciplines, universal human tendencies to perceive, feel, think and behave are postulated. Artistic expressive behaviour is understood as an integral part of the human condition, whether expressed in ritual, visual, verbal or musical art. The Ethology of the Arts-group's research focuses on visual and verbal art, music and built environment/architecture and is designed to contribute to the incipient interdisciplinarity in the field of evolutionary art research.
Keywords: Aesthetics, architecture, built environment, Communication, culture specificity, Disziplin, Ethologie, Ethologie der Kunst, ethology of arts, Evolution, evolutionary musicology, human ethology, Kognitive Skills/Social Cognition, Kulturtheorie, Kunstgeschichte, lyrics, music, poetry, SEXUAL SELECTION, universal human tendencies, universals, urban ethology, visual arts, VOCAL EXPRESSION, Voraussetzungen für sozial angemessenes Verhalten, ZEBRA FINCHES -
(2014): Call playback artificially generates a temporary cultural style of high affiliation in marmosets. In: Animal Behaviour 93, S. 163-171. DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.04.027
Abstract: Cultural variation can be conceptualized in two main ways: as culture-specific qualitative differences in behavioural form, and also as quantitative variation in performance of constellations of universal behaviours (cultural style). Despite observation of both types in wild nonhuman primates, diffusion of qualitative culture has been scrutinized extensively experimentally while within-species transmission of cultural style has remained entirely unexplored. Here we investigated whether a cultural style of high affiliation could be artificially generated in a nonhuman primate (Callithrix jacchus), by daily playback of conspecific affiliative calls simulating nearby amicable individuals. We found that vocalization playback influenced monkeys to spend more time in affiliative behaviours outside playback hours, relative to silent playback. The effect was specific to affiliation, with no impact on other categories of affect. This change did not persist into the final phase of observation after all playbacks were complete. Findings are consistent with a temporary shift in cultural style effected through vocalization playback, supporting existence of this conception of culture in wild primates and indicating auditory social contagion as a potential diffusion mechanism. The method presented here will allow researchers to test hypotheses concerning cultural transmission of cultural style, and the underlying processes, across a range of contexts and species.
Keywords: BEHAVIOR, behaviour, Biologie, Callithrix jacchus, CALLITHRIX-JACCHUS, CAPUCHIN MONKEYS, CHIMPANZEES, COMMON MARMOSETS, Culture, culture specific, enrichment, Evolution, FOOD, Geräusch/Klang, nonhuman primate, SOCIAL DIFFUSION, social influence, Status / biologische Marker, traditions, transmission 2012
-
(2012): Language as Social Coordination. An evolutionary perspective. In: Interaction Studies 13 (1), S. 103-124. DOI: 10.1075/is.13.1.07fus
Abstract: Human social coordination is often mediated by language. Through verbal dialogue, people direct each other's attention to properties of their shared environment, they discuss how to jointly solve problems, share their introspections, and distribute roles and assignments. In this article, we propose a dynamical framework for the study of the coordinative role of language. Based on a review of a number of recent experimental studies, we argue that shared symbolic patterns emerge and stabilize through a process of local reciprocal linguistic alignment. Such patterns in turn come to facilitate and refine social coordination by enabling the alignment, joint construction and navigation of conceptual models and actions. Implications of the framework are illustrated and discussed in relation to a case study where dyads of interlocutors interact verbally to reach joint decisions in a perceptual discrimination task.
Keywords: adaptivity, affordances, Communication, CONSTRAINTS, Conversation, dialogue, emergence, Evolution, HUMAN-COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INTERACTING MINDS, Interaction, Interaktion, INTERPERSONAL COORDINATION, JOINT ACTION, Koordination, Language, linguistic alignment, Linguistik, PSYCHOLINGUISTICS, social coordination, symbolic patterns 2011
-
(2011) : The origin of fairness. In: Voorhoeve, Alex: Conversations on ethics.: Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, S. 136-154
Abstract: Ken Binmore, a leading contributor to the evolutionary theory of strategic interaction, outlines the ways in which our sense of fairness helps us coordinate with others in mutually advantageous ways by suggesting how to divide the benefits of coordinated action. He also argues that generally this is all that our sense of fairness can motivate us to do; with limited exceptions, it moves us to act only in ways that are in our interests. (For example, under normal circumstances, it won't prompt us to direct aid or resources towards someone in need when it is not in our interest to do so.) Fairness, he concludes, should be stripped of its veneer of nobility.
-
(2011): Der moralische Instinkt. Über den natürlichen Ursprung unserer Moral. Unter Mitarbeit von Christiane Kuby. 1., neue Ausg. Göttingen, Niedersachs: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht
Abstract: Das Buch versucht eine wissenschaftlich fundierte Antwort auf die Frage nach Gut und Böse zu geben. Es ordnet unser moralisches und unmoralisches Verhalten fünf verschiedenen Moralsystemen zu. Vier von ihnen beruhen auf Intuitionen oder Emotionen (die Bindungsmoral, die Moral der Gewalt, die Moral der Reinlichkeit, die Kooperationsmoral) und nur eine ist rational begründet (die Prinzipienethik). Diese Formen von Moral spornen Menschen dazu an, Dinge zu tun oder zu lassen, aus je verschiedenen Gründen und auf unterschiedliche Weise. Was aber allen Moralsystemen eigen ist, ist die Tatsache, dass sie unsere individuelle Freiheit zugunsten eines höheren Zwecks, dem Wohl der Gemeinschaft, einschränken. Der Autor führt dem Leser vor Augen, was wir über den Ursprung und die Entwicklung der Moral wissen. Er zeigt anhand von vielen Beispielen, dass Moral häufig auf unreflektierte, spontane, emotionsbetriebene Prozesse zurückzuführen ist. Neurowissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse liefern Beweise für die tiefe Verankerung der Moral im menschlichen Körper. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird gezeigt, über welche Fähigkeiten Menschen aus unterschiedlichsten Kulturen verfügen, um den Konflikt zwischen Eigeninteresse und übergeordnetem Interesse zu lösen. Das Buch verschiebt das Augenmerk von der kulturellen Diversität auf die biologischen Gegebenheiten. Der Autor plädiert letztendlich für eine Ethik, die emotionale und rationale Moral gleich gewichtet. - Inhalt: (1) Die Bindungsmoral. (2) Die Moral der Gewalt. (3) Die Moral der Reinigung. (4) Die Moral der Kooperation. (5) Prinzipienethik. zitiert von: 11
Keywords: Ethik, Evolution, Handlung, Instinkt, Instinktives Verhalten, Moral, Prinzip, Prinzipienethik, Verhalten, Verhaltensforschung 2010
-
(2010): Altruism and fairness. Unnatural selection?. In: Comptes rendus biologies 333 (2), S. 174-180. DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2009.12.005
DOI: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20338534 Abstract: Darwin admitted that the evolution of moral phenomena such as altruism and fairness, which are usually in opposition to the maximization of individual reproductive success, was not easily accounted for by natural selection. Later, authors have proposed additional mechanisms, including kin selection, inclusive fitness, and reciprocal altruism. In the present work, we explore the extent to which sexual selection has played a role in the appearance of human moral traits. It has been suggested that because certain moral virtues, including altruism and kindness, are sexually attractive, their evolution could have been shaped by the process of sexual selection. Our review suggests that although it is possible that sexual selection played such a role, it is difficult to determine the extent of its relevance, the specific form of this influence, and its interplay with other evolutionary mechanisms.
2007
-
(2007): Evolution for everyone. How Darwin's theory can change the way we think about our lives. New York: Delacorte Press. Online verfügbar unter http://www.loc.gov/catdir/enhancements/fy0728/2006023685-b.html
Abstract: Wilson outlines the basic principles of evolution with stories that entertain as much as they inform, and shows how, properly understood, these principles can illuminate the length and breadth of creation, from the origin of life to the nature of religion. Now everyone can move beyond the sterile debates about creationism and intelligent design to share Darwin's panoramic view of animal and human life, seamlessly connected to each other. Evolution, as Wilson explains, is not just about dinosaurs and human origins, but about why all species behave as they do--from beetles that devour their own young, to bees that function as a collective brain, to dogs that are smarter in some respects than our closest ape relatives. And basic evolutionary principles are also the foundation for humanity's capacity for symbolic thought, culture, and morality.--From publisher description Wilson outlines the basic principles of evolution with stories that entertain as much as they inform, and shows how, properly understood, these principles can illuminate the length and breadth of creation, from the origin of life to the nature of religion. Now everyone can move beyond the sterile debates about creationism and intelligent design to share Darwin's panoramic view of animal and human life, seamlessly connected to each other. Evolution, as Wilson explains, is not just about dinosaurs and human origins, but about why all species behave as they do--from beetles that devour their own young, to bees that function as a collective brain, to dogs that are smarter in some respects than our closest ape relatives. And basic evolutionary principles are also the foundation for humanity's capacity for symbolic thought, culture, and morality.--From publisher description The future can differ from the past -- Clearing the deck -- A third way of thinking -- Prove it! -- Be careful what you wish for -- Monkey madness -- How the dog got its curly tail -- Dancing with ghosts -- What is the function of a can opener? how do you know? -- Your apprentice license -- Welcome home, prodigal son -- Teaching the experts -- Murder city -- How i learned to stop worrying and love genetic determinism -- They've got personality! -- The beauty of Abraham Lincoln -- Love thy neighbor microbe -- Groups all the way down -- Divided we fall -- Winged minds -- The egalitarian ape -- Across the cooperation divide -- The first laugh -- The vital arts -- Dr. Doolittle was right -- How many inventors does it take to make a light bulb? -- I don't know how it works! -- Darwin's cathedral -- Is there anyone out there? is there anyone up there? -- Ayn Rand : religious zealot -- The social intelligence of nations, or, evil aliens need not apply -- Mr. Beeper -- The ecology of good and evil -- Mosquitoes under the bed -- The return of the amateur scientist -- Bon voyage
2006
-
(2006): Conditions for Establishing a System of Fairness. Comment on Brosnan (2006). In: Social Justice Research 19 (2), S. 194-200. DOI: 10.1007/s11211-006-0001-0
DOI: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1573-6725/ Abstract: Comments on an article by S. Brosnan (same issue) on reactions to inequity among nonhuman species, which are assumed to mirror human response tendencies summarized as inequity aversion. Suggestions made by Brosnan concerning the continuity between humans and nonhuman species in cooperative behavior as well as the evolutionary processes that lead to the formation of a sense of equity are elaborated from a social-psychological perspective. The evolutionary process described as a four-step model may also be used to explain intervention process when equity is violated. The remarkable similarity between animals and humans in their sense of fairness is considered a confirmation of the assumed closeness of humans to their evolutionary ancestors.
2004
-
(2004) : Socially Intelligent Agents in Human Primate Culture In: Payr, Sabine; Trappl, Robert (Hg.): Agent culture: Human-agent interaction in a multicultural world: Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers, S. 45-71
Abstract: This chapter discusses socially intelligent agents (SIA) in the context of human culture. The first part of the chapter provides an introduction to SIA research and focuses on the issue of realism versus believability- namely, to what extent SIAs need to imitate behavior and appearance of humans. The lifelike agents hypothesis is analyzed in particular from the perspective of social robots. I give examples showing that with respect to realism less might be more. Mori’s ’uncanny valley’ analysis of believable robots is explained. It is shown that the issue of believability is particularly crucial for technology whose purpose is to change the behavior, attitudes, beliefs (or, more generally, minds) of humans, as it is the case for SIAs. Therefore, SIAs fall under the category of technology called persuasive technology. The second part of the chapter addresses primate cultures, their phylogenetic origins, and how human culture is grounded in and shaped by cognitive capacities that the human species have evolved. I suggest that these cognitive capacities are important to consider in the design of SIAs. The chapter concludes by discussing the possible role of SIAs in the evolution of human cultures. I argue that SIAs can play a role in preserving cultural diversity-a huge technological challenge, but a possibility to make SIA technology more humane by acknowledging the individual and cultural roots of people, rather than treating them as an increasingly homogeneous group of users. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)
-
(2004): Was ist machiavellische Intelligenz? Betrachtungen über eine wenig beachtete Seite unserer Psyche. In: Der Nervenarzt 75 (1), S. 1-5. DOI: 10.1007/s00115-003-1543-0
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00115-003-1543-0 Abstract: Aus ethologischer und evolutionspsychologischer Forschung geht immer deutlicher hervor, dass Intelligenz keine monolithische Funktionseinheit ist, sondern eine Reihe von Spezialfunktionen zur Lebensbewältigung umfasst, welche zum Teil sogar unterschiedliche evolutionäre Wurzeln aufweisen. Eine dieser Unterformen wird in Anlehnung an den italienischen Politiker und Schriftsteller aus dem 15. bzw. 16. Jahrhundert, Niccolo Machiavelli, "machiavellische Intelligenz" genannt. Sie ermöglicht soziale Manipulation im Dienste egoistischer Zielerreichung. Damit wird sie zur fassbaren psychologischen Grundlage der Machtausübung in sozialen Verbänden. Machiavellische Intelligenz kann sowohl bei höheren Primaten wie auch beim Menschen beobachtet und evaluiert, bei letzterem sogar gemessen werden.
Keywords: concept of Machiavellian intelligence, evidence from ethological & evolutionary psychological research, Evolution, Evolutionary Psychology, Evolutionspsychologie, Individual Differences, Individuelle Unterschiede, Intelligence, Intelligenz, Interpersonal Influences, Interpersonale Einflüsse, Machiavellianism, Machiavellismus, Macht, Personality Traits & Processes, Persönlichkeitseigenschaften und Persönlichkeitsprozesse, Persuasive Communication, Persuasive Kommunikation, POWER, social manipulation skills & egotism & power in social groups, Soziale Intelligenz 1997
-
(1997) : Social intelligence and language. Another Rubicon? In: Whiten, Andrew; Byrne, Richard W.; Whiten, Andrew (Ed); Byrne, Richard W. (Ed) (Hg.): Machiavellian intelligence II: Extensions and evaluations: New York, NY, US: Cambridge University Press, S. 364-396
Abstract: This chapter begins by looking briefly at the evolutionary trajectory from apes to Homo sapiens sapiens. It suggests that a gradually emerging proto-language among early hominids would have progressively augmented ape social intelligence in several ways: language itself would have to be incorporated in cognitive representations of own and others' intentions; language permits more effective classification and storage of information, and thus more effective use of memory; language-in-use is a powerful tool for the co-operative construction of meaning; language-in-use is a new sort of tool for co-operation between individuals; and language is a tool for construction socio-cultural devices for co-operation among members of a community. It is suggested that early proto-language, and subsequent increasingly complex forms of spoken language, should be thought of as a new sort of tool for thinking with and for acting with. The emergence of spoken language would have provided a new tool for co-operation at the same time that it can only be used through co-operation. Where ape Machiavellian intelligence seeks to outwit others, social intelligence built on language must achieve a framework for co-operation if conversational meanings are to be understood. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Keywords: Animal Communication, COOPERATION, Evolution, Kommunikation, Language, Lehrbuchkapitel, Primates (Nonhuman), Social Cognition, Social intelligence, Social Skills, Soziale Intelligenz, ways in which proto-language among early hominids could have augmented social intelligence & co-operation in apes -
Whiten, Andrew; Byrne, Richard W. (Hg.) (1997): Machiavellian intelligence II. Extensions and evaluations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Abstract: This book aims to explain the intelligence of monkeys and apes, and the huge brain expansion that marked human evolution. In 1988, Machiavellian Intelligence was the first book to assemble the early evidence suggesting a new answer: that the evolution of intellect …
Keywords: Evolution