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Niche construction, human behavior, and the adaptive‐lag hypothesis
Author(s) -
Laland Kevin N.,
Brown Gillian R.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
evolutionary anthropology: issues, news, and reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1520-6505
pISSN - 1060-1538
DOI - 10.1002/evan.20093
Subject(s) - niche construction , niche , natural selection , construct (python library) , niche segregation , ecology , adaptation (eye) , argument (complex analysis) , lag , ecological niche , selection (genetic algorithm) , evolutionary biology , biology , computer science , artificial intelligence , computer network , neuroscience , biochemistry , habitat , programming language
Niche construction is the process whereby organisms modify selective environments, thereby affecting evolution. The niche‐construction perspective is particularly relevant to researchers using evolutionary methods to interpret human behavior and society. On the basis of niche‐construction theory, we argue against the hypothesis that modern humans experience an atypically large adaptive lag. We stress that humans construct their world largely to suit themselves and frequently buffer adaptive lag through cultural niche construction. Where they are unable to do that, natural selection of genes rapidly ensues. Our argument has implications for evolutionary psychology and human behavioral ecology, and suggests that the methods of the latter are potentially applicable to all human societies, even postindustrial ones.