Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Table of Contents - April 2012 - Volume 35, Issue 02  

Open Peer Commentary

Parasite stress, ethnocentrism, and life history strategy

Aurelio José Figueredoa1, Paul Robert Gladdena2 and Candace Jasmine Blacka1

a1 Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, and School of Mind, Brain, and Behavior, College of Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0068. ajf@u.arizona.edu http://www.u.arizona.edu/~ajf cjblack@email.arizona.edu http://www.u.arizona.edu/~cjblack

a2 Department of Psychology and Sociology, Macon State College, Macon, GA 31206. paul.gladden@maconstate.edu http://vista.maconstate.edu/directory/detailsprint.aspx?id=612

Abstract

Fincher & Thornhill (F&T) present a compelling argument that parasite stress underlies certain cultural practices promoting assortative sociality. However, we suggest that the theoretical framework proposed is limited in several ways, and that life history theory provides a more explanatory and inclusive framework, making more specific predictions about the trade-offs faced by organisms in the allocation of bioenergetic and material resources.

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