The Evolution of Social Structure: Why Biology Matters. Pierce, B. & White, R. (1999). The evolution...
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Transcript of The Evolution of Social Structure: Why Biology Matters. Pierce, B. & White, R. (1999). The evolution...
The Evolution of Social Structure:
Why Biology Matters.
Pierce, B. & White, R. (1999). The evolution of social structure: why biology matters. Academy of Management Review, 24, 843-853.
Introduction
Human behavior, including social behavior, is a result of the interplay between perceived environmental cues and innate psychological mechanisms
Our evolutionary ancestors have been members of social groups for millions of years
Psychological mechanisms that helped our ancestors solve survival problems have become encoded genetically
These innate mechanisms continue to influence our social behavior today
These does not mean that our behavior is predetermined
Rather human behavior is very flexible because these innate mechanisms are domain specific—tailored to solve specific problems and activated only when certain cues are perceived
Social Structure
Agonic Mode Stable troops of dominant and submissive members
that travel together Those who attain and maintain dominance do so
through obvert acts and displays of aggression Members of the group keep their attention on the
dominants When danger threatens, members look to dominant
for protection
Social Structure
Hedonic Mode Behavior is much more flexible Members split into small foraging groups Rank is not rigid When danger threatens, members group together
for protection
Why would there be two distinct social structures within the same species? Type of structure is dependent upon resource
context There are four characteristics of resource context that
are constantly linked to social behavior
Resource Context
Distribution When resources are clumped together, animals tend
to be more aggressive
Visibility High visibility (savannas) encourages competitive
behavior Low visibility allows animals to forage without
worrying about competitors
Resource Context
Predictability When resources are highly predictable, animals
forage in large groups and behave in an agonic manner
When resources are less predictable, animals scatter into small groups or even forage alone
Timing When animals do not wait to consume their
resources, they are more aggressive When they delay their consumption, they show less
competitive behavior
Parallels in Human Behavior
Mechanistic Human Organizations Hierarchical Importance of control, authority, and rank Similar to the agonic mode
Organic Systems Stratified, but nonhierarchical Authority flows depending on task at hand Similar to hedonic mode
Implications
Even though we no longer live on the savanna, our innate mechanisms may influence us to behave as though we do
Employers have the ability to produce a certain type of working atmosphere is they utilize one of these modes
We are social beings, always have been and always will be
Limitations of Article
Even though the authors made a connection between the social structures of our evolutionary ancestors and the work place today, it could have been more defined.
Relied too much on outside research.
It could have incorporated more studies concerning human social structure today.
3 Interesting Findings
“Our ancestors have been members of social groups and engaged in social interaction for millions and probably tens of millions of years.”
Despite the variability of the resource context, it is apparent that our ancestors grouped together in some fashion. This displays the very important survival function of a group.
Even in the complex world of today, where the resource context is much different from that of our ancestors, humans undoubtedly form groups in order to better their lives. According to Harvard professor Robert Putnam, social
isolation may be as big of a risk factor for death as smoking it may even be bigger.�
Test Questions
Which is NOT a characteristic of resource context? Timing Visibility Amount
Having innate psychological mechanisms means that Humans have no free will Humans act like monkeys Humans are influenced by their evolutionary ancestors
If an employer wanted to promote a free-flowing, nonhierarchical working environment, he should try to simulate a _______ atmosphere Organic Mechanistic