STIs may have driven ancient humans to monogamy

Discussion in 'Human Science' started by Plazma Inferno!, Apr 13, 2016.

  1. Plazma Inferno! Ding Ding Ding Ding Administrator

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    The majority of historically known human societies have allowed, and still allow, polygynous mating1, 2. Yet, in some of the most successful agricultural societies, polygyny was gradually replaced by socially imposed monogamy, beginning with the transition from hunter–gatherers to agriculturalists and the resulting larger residential groups.
    Recent study used a simulation model to explore how interactions between group size, sexually transmitted infection (STI) dynamics and social norms can explain the timing and emergence of socially imposed monogamy. Results show that polygyny dominates when groups are too small to sustain STIs. However, in larger groups, STIs become endemic and have an impact on fertility, thereby mediating multilevel selection. Punishment of polygynists improves monogamist fitness within groups by reducing their STI exposure, and between groups by enabling punishing monogamist groups to outcompete polygynists. This suggests pathways for the emergence of socially imposed monogamy, and enriches our understanding of costly punishment evolution.

    http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2016/160412/ncomms11219/full/ncomms11219.html
     

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