THE IMITATION FACTOR

An engaging exploration of how culture effects evolution.

“Why do humans behave the way they behave?” According to behavioral ecologist Dugatkin (Biology/Univ. of Louisville), it isn’t just our genes that drive us to act the way we do. Culture, too, wields enormous influence, causing large-scale evolutionary changes across generations. Specifically, it is the cultural tendency to imitate that is so influential: If you want to understand human behavior, you must first accept the basic fact that we are “veritable copy machines in the wild.” Specifically, the tendency of creatures to imitate the mating choices of others can rapidly affect which traits get passed on through generations. In fact, “when it comes to the speed at which they operate, cultural evolution leaves genetic evolution in the dust.” This tendency to imitate is found throughout the animal kingdom, and the author cites many studies of mating behavior to back up his arguments. Barn swallows and sailfins, guppies and whales all tend to imitate the mating choices of others in their species, and the same trend is seen in the few well-controlled human studies that have been done, as well. Dugatkin is not interested in claiming culture’s primacy over genetics in evolution, but he does want culture to be given its due as a crucial force. It’s an intriguing argument overall, and the studies are absorbing (involving such piquant details as sewing longer tails on certain species of fish to tilt the scales of female choice). A slightly goofy wit, suggestions for further avenues of exploration, and a brisk pace all keep the reader involved.

A serious scientific work that succeeds in entertaining at the same time.