Culture and Evolution

Research in the area of Culture and Evolution delivered by Brunel University of Londonfocuses on cultural variation in, and evolutionary origins of, psychology and behaviour – integration of proximate and ultimate perspectives, across levels of analysis from individual biology and personality, through group and social processes to the broader culture.

Our Culture and Evolution research at Brunel University London brings together outstanding evolutionary, cross-cultural and other psychologists. It includes evolutionary approaches to human psychology such as human behavioural ecology.

There are three strands:

• Relationships – E.g. interpersonal attraction and mate choice, relationship maintenance and satisfaction, jealousy etc. Also intergroup relations (between cultures and ethnic groups).

• Morality – E.g. what is considered right and wrong, political beliefs, views on resource distribution etc.

• Conflict & Cooperation – E.g. interpersonal and intergroup, sexual conflict and intrasexual competition, sources of conflict such as inequality etc.

Courses include:

• Attitudes towards, and behavioural consequences of, inequality
• Close personal relationships
• Community and wellbeing
• Competitiveness and risk-taking among males
• Cooperation within groups, including between leaders and followers
• Cultural variation in prosocial behaviours