Evolution / Evolutionary biology Books

Book SynopsisA New York Times Notable Book of 2020A Bloomberg Best Non-Fiction Book of 2020A Behavioral Scientist Notable Book of 2020A Human Behavior & Evolution Society Must-Read Popular Evolution Book of 2020A bold, epic account of how the co-evolution of psychology and culture created the peculiar Western mind that has profoundly shaped the modern world.Perhaps you are WEIRD: raised in a society that is Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic. If so, you're rather psychologically peculiar.Unlike much of the world today, and most people who have ever lived, WEIRD people are highly individualistic, self-obsessed, control-oriented, nonconformist, and analytical. They focus on themselvestheir attributes, accomplishments, and aspirationsover their relationships and social roles. How did WEIRD populations become so psychologically distinct? What role did these psychological dif

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Book SynopsisIn this book, Glenn Barenthin provides a new solution to a key question in the cognitive and evolutionary study of religion: why do humans cooperate? What led humans, uniquely among animals, to have large-scale civilizations with unprecedented cooperation? One explanation, propagated by the Big God Proponents (BGP), argues that a moralizing God is the crucial motivator for the pro-social behaviour necessary for large scale civilization. To explore this idea, Barenthin provides a critical assessment of the evidence provided by the BGP, and also discusses the place of God in our moral thinking. However, using evidence from anthropology, history, cognitive science, psychology and game theory, Barenthin presents a new theory: that the evolutionary pressures faced by our forebears paved the way for emerging humans to engage in what he terms thin cooperation'. This type of cooperation requires individuals to comprehend the reasons for their actions, and it is often done with others in mindTrade ReviewGlenn Barenthin’s book on human cooperation is a fascinating work. It is a terrific survey of modern evolutionary thinking about cooperation, showing how very dated are the myths of killer apes. Throughout there is discussion of the relevance of such science for religious thinking. Does morality demand a belief in a deity, or can the skeptic be as good a person as the Christian or Jew or Muslim? Barenthin’s conclusions are stimulating and pertinent. Highly recommended. * Michael Ruse, Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy, Florida State University, USA *Table of ContentsList of Figures Foreword Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction 1. Minds, Gods and Group Selection Theory 2. A Modest Proposal 3. Family Matters 4. From ‘Thin’ to ‘Thick Cooperation’ 5. How Does That Make Sense? 6. The Road to “Denmark” References Index

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Book SynopsisGroundbreaking mathematician Gregory Chaitin gives us the first book to posit that we can prove how Darwin’s theory of evolution works on a mathematical level. For years it has been received wisdom among most scientists that, just as Darwin claimed, all of the Earth’s life-forms evolved by blind chance. But does Darwin’s theory function on a purely mathematical level? Has there been enough time for evolution to produce the remarkable biological diversity we see around us? It’s a question no one has yet answered—in fact, no one has attempted to answer it until now. In this illuminating and provocative book, Gregory Chaitin elucidates the mathematical scheme he’s developed that can explain life itself, and examines the works of mathematical pioneers John von Neumann and Alan Turing through the lens of biology. Fascinating and thought-provoking, Proving Darwin makes clear how biology may have found its greatest ally in mathematics

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Book SynopsisNew in paperback (originally published as Human by Design): At the cutting edge of science and spirituality, New York Times best-selling author Gregg Braden explains that evolution is not the whole story of humanity--and offers a new understanding of our origins that can help us tap the extraordinary abilities we already have.What would it mean to discover we're designed to live extraordinary lives of self-healing, longevity, and deep intuition? Is it possible that the advanced awareness achieved by monks, nuns, and mystics--considered rare in the past--is actually meant to be a normal part of our daily lives? In this revelatory book, now available for the first time in paperback, five-time New York Times best-selling author and 2018 Templeton Award nominee Gregg Braden explains that we no longer need to ask these questions as What if? Recent discoveries ranging from human evolution and genetics to the new science of neuro-cardiology (the bri

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Book SynopsisGenes, Culture, and Human Evolution: A Synthesisis a textbook on human evolution that offers students a unique combination of cultural anthropology and genetics. Written by two geneticistsincluding a world-renowned scientist and founder of the Human Genome Diversity Projectand a socio-cultural anthropologist. Based on recent findings in genetics and anthropology that indicate the analysis of human culture and evolution demands an integration of these fields of study. Focuses on evolutionor, rather, co-evolutionviewed from the standpoint of genes and culture, and their inescapable interactions. Unifies cultural and genetic concepts rather than rehashing nonempirical sociobiological musings. Demonstrates that empirical genetic evidence, based on modern DNA analysis and population studies, provides an excellent foundation for understanding human cultural diversity. Trade Review"This book lives up to its title. It provides an invigorating and well-informed overview of human genetic and cultural evolution, one that transcends the disciplinary boundaries that become an irrelevance to a full understanding of where we come from, out nature and origins." (Anthropos, 2009) "The important branch of evolutionary anthropology that concentrates on the co-evolution of genes and culture has been in need of its definitive textbook. Here it has found its perfect expression in one of those rare texts that is also a grand synthesis and a contribution in its own right."—Robin Fox, University Professor of Social Theory, Rutgers University "Stone and Lurquin have integrated what we know about bones, genes, and languages to produce a uniquely valuable account. By focusing on the science of human evolution, the authors avoid the stultifying debates about what is culture and does it evolve. With this volume, evolutionary anthropology becomes a coherent discipline accessible to all students and scholars in the human sciences."—Marc Feldman, Stanford University "The first textbook that uses evolutionary theory to combine the study of human culture and genetics." (Australian Journal of Anthropology)Table of ContentsFigures. Plates. Preface. Introduction by L. Luca Cavalli-Sforza. 1. Genetic and Cultural Theory: A Brief Overview. 2. Human Descent and Paleoanthropology. 3. Foundations of Classical and Molecular Genetics. 4. Genetics as a Key to Human Origins and Prehistory. 5. Fundamentals of Human Evolution: Mutation and Natural Selection. 6. Fundamentals of Human Evolution: Drift, Migration, and Quantitative Analysis of Human Genetic Diversity. 7. Cultural Evolution. 8. Geography of Human Genes and Correlation with Languages. 9. The Prehistory of Human Genes. 10. Voyages: Prehistoric Human Expansions. 11. The Neolithic Transition in Europe and the Peopling of the Americas. 12. Genes, Kinship, and Identity. 13. Cultural Clines, Clades, Cycles, and Waves: The Process of Cultural Evolution. 14. Genes and Culture in Medicine. General Conclusion. Appendix 1. The Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC) Technique. Appendix 2. The Hardy–Weinberg Theorem. Appendix 3. A Simulation of Drift. Appendix 4. The Diversification of Languages. Notes. Key References. Glossary. Index.

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Trade Review[W]ritten in a very accessible and easy-to-read style . . . this book would be appropriate for libraries serving psychology departments that focus on evolutionary psychology. * ARBA *Table of ContentsPreface Part I: Understanding Beauty 1. Defining Beauty 2. The Benefits of Beauty 3. Buying Beauty 4. Changes in Beauty Trends over Time 5. Evolution's Impact on Modern Attraction: The Interaction of Genes and Environment 6. The Impact of Attractiveness on Behavior and Relationship Satisfaction 7. Psychological Effects of the Preoccupation with Beauty Part II: Beauty from Head to Toe Head, Facial, and Body Hair Skin Face Shape and Structure Eyes Nose Ears Lips Teeth Hands Body Shape and Proportions Breasts and Buttocks Muscularity Inguinal Crease Male Genitalia Feet Hormonal Influences on Attraction Psychological Traits Glossary References and Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisEvolution of the Human Brain.- Why the Brain Works the Way it Does: Evolution and Cognition from Movement.- The and.- The.- The.- The and the Evolution of the Cerebral Cortex.- The Cerebral Cortex.- Sings and Symptoms of Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood.- Causation from an Evolutionary Perspective.- Therapeutic Theory and Strategy.Table of ContentsEvolution of the Human Brain.- Why the Brain Works the Way it Does: Evolution and Cognition from Movement.- The and.- The.- The.- The and the Evolution of the Cerebral Cortex.- The Cerebral Cortex.- Sings and Symptoms of Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood.- Causation from an Evolutionary Perspective.- Therapeutic Theory and Strategy.

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Book SynopsisIt has been twelve years since a work relating to the long-tailed African monkeys known as the guenons has been published and fifteen years have passed since the last major scientific symposium was held that was solely dedicated to current research on members of this monkey group living in the wild. Since that time, new guenon species and subspecies have been discovered, previously unstudied guenon species have become the subject of long-term research projects, and knowledge of the more well-known guenon species has greatly increased. This volume presents novel information and keen insight on research previously studied and newly discovered. A wide range of topics related to guenon biology is presented, including evolution, taxonomy, biogeography, reproductive physiology, social and positional behavior, ecology, and conservation. Composed of 26 chapters compiled by 47 authors, maTrade Review`The Guenons is encyclopedic in its coverage of this remarkably diverse group of primates. From chapters on evolutionary history, behavior, ecology, and conservation, The Guenons also offers a window into the world of primatology, as seen through the lenses of these monkeys and the researchers who study them. Glenn and Cords should be commended for assembling such an impressive set of contributions from so many guenon experts. This volume will be the standard reference on the guenons for many years to come.' Karen B. Strier, University of Wisconsin-Madison `This book is a cornucopia of recently-gathered knowledge about the natural history of Africas most species-rich group of anthropoids. The volume is particularly strong on behavioral ecology, but it also presents important new evolutionary analyses and, in a useful section on conservation, makes practical suggestions to address the growing threats posed to the survival of African primates by ever-increasing habitat loss and hunting.' John F. Oates, Hunter College `Guenons are one of the most specifically diverse groups of living primates, but the true extent of their behavioral, ecological, and phylogenetic diversity has remained largely unappreciated. This exciting volume describes many new aspects of guenon biology. The authors use the diversity of guenons to address, and often question, several major tenets of primate socioecology. Most significantly, this volume thoroughly demolishes the view that guenons are a uniform radiation.' John G. Fleagle, State University of New York at Stony Brook `A comprehensive and valuable collection and an essential reference for any primatologists. Highly recommended.' L. Swedell, CUNY Queens College in Choice, November 2003 Table of ContentsList of Contributors. Preface. Part I: Evolutionary Biology and Biogeography. 1. The Guenons: An Overview of Taxonomy and Diversity; T.M. Butynski. 2. Y-chromosomal Window onto the History of Terrestrial Adaptation in the Cercopithecini; A.J. Tosi, et al. 3. Molecular Timescale and Gene Tree Incongruence in the Guenons; T. Disotell, R. Raaum. 4. Phylogeny of the Cercopithecus lhoesti Group Revisited: Combining Multiple Character sets; J.-P. Gautier, et al. 5. Terrestriality and the Maintenance of the Disjunct Geographical Distribution in the lhoesti group; B. Kaplin. 6. A Biogeographical Analysis of Central African Guenons; M. Colyn, P. Deleporte. 7. Hybridization Between Red-tailed Monkeys (Cercopithecus ascanius) and Blue Monkeys (C. mitis) in East African forests; K. Detwiler. 8. Genetic Study of Translocated Guenons: Cercopithecus mona on Grenada; K.A. Horsburgh, et al. Part II: Behavior. 9. Diversity of Guenon Positional Behavior; W.S. McGraw. 10. Unique Behavior of Mona Monkeys, Cercopithecus mona: All-male Groups and Copulation Calls; M.E. Glenn, et al. 11. Group Fission in Red-tailed Guenons (Cercopithecus ascanius) in the Kibale National Park, Uganda; T. Windfelder, J.S. Lwanga. 12. Interindividual Proximity and Surveillance of Associates in Comparative Perspective; A. Treves, P. Baguma. 13. Why Vervets (Cercopithecus aethiops) Live in Multi-male Groups; L.A. Isbell, et al. 14. When are There Influxes in Blue Monkey Groups? M. Cords. 15. Costs and Benefits of Alternative Mating Strategies in Samango Monkey Males; M.C. Macleod, et al. 16. Female Reproductive Endocrinology in Wild Blue Monkeys: a Preliminary Assessment and Discussion of Potential Adaptive Functions; K. Pazol, et al. 17. Grooming and Social Cohesion in Patas Monkeys and Other Female-bonded Guenons; J. Chism, W. Rogers. 18. Development of Mother-infant Relationships and Infant Behavior in Wild Blue Monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis); S. Förster, M. Cords. 19. Influence of Foraging Adaptations on Play Activity in Red-tailed and Blue Monkeys with Comparisons to Colobus Monkey; E.A. Worch. 20. Effects of Natural and Sexual Selection on the Evolution of Guenon Loud Calls; K. Zuberbühler. Part III: Ecology. 21. Resource Switching in Guenons: a Community Analysis of Dietary Flexiblity; J. Lambert. 22. Variation in the Diet of Cercopithecus species: Differences Within Forests, Among Forests and Across Species; C.A. Chapman, et al. 23. Diet of the Roloway Monkey, Cercopithecus diana roloway, in Bia National Park, Ghana; S. Hunt Curtin. Part IV: Conservation. 24. Conservation of Fragmented Populations of Cercopithecus mitis in South Africa: the Role of Reintroduction, Corridors and Metapopulation Ecology; M.J. Lawes. 25. Assessing Extinction Risk in Cercopithecus monkeys; T. Ukizintambara, C. Thebaud. 26. Conservation of the Guenons: An Overview of Status, Threats, and Recommendations; T.M. Butynski. Editors' Conclusion. Literature Cited. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis Human Evolutionary Biology Lab Manual assembles several valuable references into one convenient text. Created specifically with the non-specialist in mind, this manual offers focused reviews of key concepts, vocabulary terms and lab activities designed to complement in-class lecture material. Written by faculty members with extensive teaching and research experience across multiple physical anthropology sub disciplines, it follows an intuitive format designed to optimize student learning.Practical features, like dedicated note-taking sections and a variety of supplementary charts, insure students are able to maximize the manual's use as an additional study aid and lab companion. Arranged by topic, the manual is easy to navigate and the material remains accessible despite its specialized content. Perforated pages also provide clean removal of lab exercises for easy grading by instructors and more flexibility for students.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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