An evolutionary and chronological framework for human social behaviour

Abstract

Human social behaviour is the product of million of years of evolution. The details of the chronological and phylogenetic context in which human behaviour evolved can provide information about both the historical depth of specific behaviours and the reasons undelying their evolution. The chronological framework is described, and the ecological basis for human social evolution discussed. Eigth key 'events' and time periods are identified : 35 Million years ago (35 Myr), 25 Myr, 15 Myr, 5 Myr, 2 Myr, 300.000 years ago (300 Kyr), 100 Kyr and 30 Kyr. Critical developments occur in this periods when such attributes as compulsive sociality, male kin-bonding and changes in life history strategy and parenting behaviour occur. It is argued that a key factor in hominid social evolution is the conjonction of male kin-bonding and selection for energetically expensive offspring ; that the shift to modern human behaviour occurs over a prolonged period in excess of 200 Kyr; and that the human evolutionary heritage (the EEA) is not unitary

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