Modern Wisdom #422 - Dr Joe Henrich - Evolution, Psychology, Monogamy & Culture
11 snips
Jan 15, 2022 
Joe Henrich, a Harvard Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology, dives deep into how culture shapes our behaviors and preferences. He discusses the intriguing idea that much of what we believe to be 'human nature' may actually be cultural conditioning. Explore how agricultural choices influence family dynamics, and the implications of a future with sexless men. The conversation touches on the interplay between language, social structure, and psychological traits, all while highlighting the moral dilemmas we face in a culturally diverse world.
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Monogamy and Male Psychology
- Monogamy constrains male tendencies towards multiple mating, prevalent in 85% of societies where elites had multiple wives.
- Hunter-gatherer societies rarely exceed four wives due to male resource limitations and social structures.
Modern Sexual Marketplace Imbalance
- Modern society's imbalance in the sexual marketplace mirrors historical trends.
- Increased female choice creates a sexless male underclass, similar to situations with high polygyny rates.
Marriage and Crime
- Monogamous marriage reduces male crime rates by lowering testosterone.
- Divorce or spousal death increases crime as men re-enter the mating market, seeking higher status.
