Behavioral and Brain Sciences

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

Open Peer Commentary

The evolution and development of human social systems requires more than parasite-stress avoidance explanation

Jason Grotussa1

a1 Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431. jgrotuss@fau.edu

Abstract

Fincher & Thornhill (F&T) present a model of in-group assortative sociality resulting from differing levels of parasite-stress in differing geographical locations in the United States and the world. Their model, while compelling, overlooks some important issues, such as mutualistic associations with parasites that are beneficial to humans and how some religious practices increase parasite risk.

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    Parasite-stress promotes in-group assortative sociality: The cases of strong family ties and heightened religiosity Corey L. Fincher and Randy Thornhill Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131. fincher@unm.edu http://biology.unm.edu/fincher; Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 rthorn@unm.edu http://biology.unm.edu/Thornhill/rthorn.htm