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Authoritarianism as a group-level adaptation in humans

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Commentary onDavid SloanWilson and ElliottSober (1994). Reintroducing group selection to the human behavioral sciences. BBS 17:585–654

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2010

Sven van de Wetering
Sven van de Wetering
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Bumaby, B.C., Canada, V5A, 1S6. vandew@sfu.ca
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Abstract

Wilson & Sober's discussion of group selection is marred by the absence of plausible examples of human group-level behavioral adaptation. The trait of authoritarianism is one possible example of such an adaptation. It reduces within-group variance in reproductive success, manifests itself more strongly in response to group-level threat, and is found in a variety of cultures.

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Type
Continuing Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , December 1996, pp. 780 - 781
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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