Behavioral and Brain Sciences

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

Authors' Response

The parasite-stress theory may be a general theory of culture and sociality

Corey L. Finchera1 and Randy Thornhilla1

a1 Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131. fincher@unm.edu rthorn@unm.edu http://biology.unm.edu/fincher http://biology.unm.edu/Thornhill/rthorn.htm

Abstract

In the target article, we presented the hypothesis that parasite-stress variation was a causal factor in the variation of in-group assortative sociality, cross-nationally and across the United States, which we indexed with variables that measured different aspects of the strength of family ties and religiosity. We presented evidence supportive of our hypothesis in the form of analyses that controlled for variation in freedom, wealth resources, and wealth inequality across nations and the states of the USA. Here, we respond to criticisms from commentators and attempt to clarify and expand the parasite-stress theory of sociality used to fuel our research presented in the target article.

Related Articles

    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