TY - JOUR
T1 - Considering selection pressures for identity fusion and self-sacrifice in small-scale societies
AU - Wiessner, Pauline
PY - 2018/1/1
Y1 - 2018/1/1
N2 - Whitehouse's view that our ultrasocial species evolved in small, warring bands is questioned, and alternative social selection pressures for the evolution of identity fusion and self-sacrifice in small-scale societies are proposed. Short durations of states of fusion allow for re-evaluation of risks; the consolidation of episodic memories into collective oral traditions elicits cooperation. Dysmorphic memories may be more powerful in generating identity fusion when followed by euphoric ones, as in "rites of torture" in male initiations.
AB - Whitehouse's view that our ultrasocial species evolved in small, warring bands is questioned, and alternative social selection pressures for the evolution of identity fusion and self-sacrifice in small-scale societies are proposed. Short durations of states of fusion allow for re-evaluation of risks; the consolidation of episodic memories into collective oral traditions elicits cooperation. Dysmorphic memories may be more powerful in generating identity fusion when followed by euphoric ones, as in "rites of torture" in male initiations.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85065767821&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85065767821&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S0140525X18001681
DO - 10.1017/S0140525X18001681
M3 - Article
C2 - 31064600
AN - SCOPUS:85065767821
SN - 0140-525X
VL - 41
SP - e220
JO - The Behavioral and brain sciences
JF - The Behavioral and brain sciences
ER -