The Evolution of Social Structure: Why Biology Matters

Abstract

Sociobiologists and evolutionary psychologists believe that much about behavior has deep evolutionary roots. We employ this emerging paradigm about the origins of human nature to explain social behavior and emergent social structures. Using the work of socioecologists and ethologists, we connect these social structures with features of the resource context. Although still controversial, using biological evolution to help explain (social) behaviors holds significant potential for advancing the organizational sciences.