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Kevin N. Laland and Gillian R. Brown. Sense and Nonsense: Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Behaviour. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002.
In the last decade a number of popular and academic books that describe how evolution is being used to study human behavior have appeared (for example, Barrett, Dunbar, & Lycett, 2002; Buss, 1999; Gaulin & McBurney, 2001; LaCerra & Bingham, 2002; Pinker, 1997; Wright, 1994). One book, rather than emphasizing a summary of research findings, focuses instead on the major theoretical approaches for the study of human behavior from an evolutionary perspective. This book is Sense and Nonsense by Kevin N. Laland and Gillian R. Brown. It is a wonderful reference book for readers of Psychology & Marketing who may wish to undertake research from an evolutionary perspective.
Sense and Nonsense begins with a brief history of the study of human behavior from an evolutionary perspective. It then focuses on five recent approaches to studying human behavior based on evolution. These include: sociobiology, human behavioral ecology, evolutionary psychology, memetics, and gene-culture coevolution. For each of these approaches the authors describe the major concepts and methods. They also present examples of research studies. In addition, for each approach they consider criticisms of the approach, evaluate the criticisms, and evaluate the approach as a whole. As if this were not enough, the authors then present a chapter in which the five approaches are compared to each other and their potential integration is discussed. The authors' agenda is obviously ambitious, but they do an excellent job, mainly because they keep their discussion at a summary level and do not attempt to provide a detailed listing of findings for each approach. Even so, the book provides a valuable set of references, some 39 pages in length. Suggestions for further reading, and an index, are also included.
Laland and Brown are colleagues in the Sub-Department of Animal Behaviour at the University of Cambridge. In writing the book they not only made use of the extant literature, but also spoke to major scholars involved in evolutionary research to make sure they understood their perspectives correctly. Throughout the book there are references to discussions with researchers on major issues of interest. Surprisingly for such an ambitious academic overview, this book is not...