We discuss how to use evolutionary game theory (EGT) as a framework for studying how cultural dynamics and structural properties can influence the evolution of norms and behaviors within a society. We provide a brief tutorial on how EGT works, and discuss what kinds of insights it can provide. We then describe three published studies in which we have developed EGT models that help explain how s...

The cultural norms of traditional societies encourage behavior that is consistent with maximizing reproductive success but those of modern post-demographic transition societies do not. Newson et al (2005) proposed that this might be because interaction between kin is relatively less frequent in modern social networks. Assuming that people’s evaluations of reproductive decisions are influenced b...

Some analysts have criticized Friedrich Hayek’s theory of cultural evolution for implying that the rules, customs, norms, and institutions that emerge from the evolutionary process are necessarily efficient or desirable in all cases. This charge is unfounded. The present article defends Hayek versus his critics in two ways: First, it restates Hayek’s own objections to the idea that cultural evo...

We often use the terms “sex” and “gender” interchangeably in infectious diseases research, which is incorrect because these terms refer to different aspects of biology and behavior. The term “sex” refers to biological characteristics that define males and females, including the basic organization of chromosomes, reproductive organs, and circulating sex steroid hormone concentrations. Gender ref...

The cultural norms of traditional societies encourage behavior that is consistent with maximizing reproductive success but those of modern post-demographic transition societies do not. Newson et al (2005) proposed that this might be because interaction between kin is relatively less frequent in modern social networks. Assuming that people’s evaluations of reproductive decisions are influenced b...

CONTEXT Suicide is an important public health issue among rural communities although there is no single pattern of suicide in rural areas. Despite this, there are common themes in much of the research evidence on suicide in rural areas. From the published research in the area, a conceptual model of rural suicide has been developed which can be used by clinical and public health services when co...

INTRODUCTION 1 EARLY PROBLEMSMATTER 2 Progress in Psychiatric Diagnosis in Young Children 3 IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS IN YOUNG CHILD ASSESSMENT 4 Reliance on Caregivers for Information 4 Sensitivity to Contextual Influences, Including Caregiving Contexts 6 DOMAINS OF DEVELOPMENT 9 SELECTING AN ASSESSMENT APPROACH AND TOOL 11 Types of Tools 11 Understanding Psychometric Properties 12 Reliability ...

Bioethics initially emerged from theological thinking, as part of the consistent development of the defense of the beliefs of the movement when faced with the challenges of the social progressivism of techno-scientific expansion and the cultural secularization of the West. As a result of this process, liberal social norms and legislation have emerged in many Western nations, including those tha...

Despite the demand for culturally placed agent models, an adequate simulation approach to the relationship between groupcultural and individual-psychological qualities, including culture emergence, is just appearing. It could be argued that we are at the beginning of a domain forming process, a dawn of generative, emergent artificial culture. In this context we discuss current limitations and a...

BACKGROUND Social anxiety is assumed to be related to cultural norms across countries. Heinrichs et al. [2006: Behav Res Ther 44:1187-1197] compared individualistic and collectivistic countries and found higher social anxiety and more positive attitudes toward socially avoidant behaviors in collectivistic rather than in individualistic countries. However, the authors failed to include Latin Ame...