The evolution of emotions in humans: A Darwinian-Durkheimian analysis

Journal/Book: J Theor Soc Behav. 1996; 26: 108 Cowley Rd, Oxford, Oxon, England OX4 1JF. Blackwell Publ Ltd. 1.

Abstract: Alexandra Maryanski's cladistic analysis of the last common ancestor to humans and apes reveals biological propensities in hominoids for autonomy, individualism, and weak-tie formation. The evolution of emotional capacities in humans, and the neuroanatomical bases for these capacities, are viewed as representing one of the many compensatory mechanisms for overcoming the low sociality contained in humans' ape ancestry. Speculation on the selection forces involved in hominids' growing capacity to use complex arrays of emotions for (a) mobilizing energy, (b) attuning, (c) sanctioning, (d) moral coding, (e) exchanging and (f) decision-making is conducted with an eye towards redirecting micro-level theorizing in sociology.

Note: Article JH Turner, Univ Calif Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521 USA

Keyword(s): SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS; BEHAVIOR; PAN

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