Cultural Adaptation

Bibliographic Data

ID22369481
AuthorsR Ellen (0000-0002-7349-2419, University of Kent, corresponding author)
Year2018
Pages1-7
Publication date2018-09-05
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeOTHER
VenueThe International Encyclopedia of Anthropology (JOURNAL)
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/9781118924396.wbiea1914
OpenAlexW4249901490
ISBN9781118924396
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited9

Biological organisms display four types of adaptation: phylogenetic, physiological, learning, and cultural. Overall, adaptation may be a combination of these types. Cultural adaptation, combining learning and the social transmission of information or practices, is typified by its rapidity, though not by its fidelity. Drawing on the experience of others enables the trial‐and‐error stage of learning to be reduced in duration. Thus, heat loss can be avoided by wearing clothes, the conceptual and practical work of invention having taken place in preceding generations. Socially transmitted learned behavior has been demonstrated for many species, including nonhuman primates, but in humans has become the dominant means of adaptation (particularly through symbolic culture), and recent human evolution can be seen as the evolution of the increasing capacity for complex cultural adaptation. Cultural adaptation can take place through inadvertent differential survival of populations with advantageous practices, through conscious response to perceived hazards, and by chance

Biology · Cognitive psychology · Cognitive science · Cultural transmission in animals · Evolutionary biology · Fidelity · Social learning · Communication · Computer Science · Cultural Differences and Values · Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation · Neuroscience · Primate Behavior and Ecology · Psychology · Social Psychology

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