Biological and Cultural Evolution

Biological evolution- refers to the changes, modifications, and variations in the genetics and inherited traits of biological
populations from one generations to another.

Biological evolution is based on the theory of evolution that was introduced by the famous English naturalist and
geologist Charles Darwin (1809-1882).

Cultural evolution or Sociocultural evolution- refers to the changes or development in cultures from a simple form to a
more complex form of human culture. Sociocultural evolution happens as a result of human adaptation to different
factors like climatic changes and population increase.

Natural selection- “it is the outcome of processes that affect the frequencies of traits in a particular environment. Traits
that enhance survival and reproductive success increase in frequency over time”. –Ember and Peregrine (2002)

2 Types of Evolution

Microevolution- is a change in the genetic make-up (DNA) which is inherited by offspring from their parents.

Macroevolution- speciation or creating another species.

The Birth of Culture

 Natural selection and adaptation concepts are similar to cultural evolution.

 The changes that happened morphologically to human beings from knuckle to bipedal walking helped humans
create culture.
 Bipedalism is an evolutionary change that probably led us to a lot of advantages.
-it helped humans improved long-distance walking for hunting and gathering food.
-it creates other ways for survival.

The reasons for the bigger brain:

1. Environmental reasons. Physical challenges like finding, hunting, or remembering sources of food provide
selection pressure for bigger brains.
2. Social Factors. Interacting with others favored people with brains large enough to anticipate the actions of
others.
3. Cultural Factors. People who were able to hold on to accumulated knowledge and share it within the
generation and to another generation. Ex. Cooking

The Evolution of the Brain

Australopithecus afarensis (400cc) 3.9-2.9 million years ago.

 Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis) found by Donald Johanson and Tom Grayon Nov. 24, 1974, at Hadar in
Ethiopia.

Homo habilis (510-752cc) 2.35-1.5 million years ago

 The earliest member of the genus Homo.

 Older hominin species.
 Morphology is almost the same as the features of an ape.
 Means “handyman”

Homo erectus (600-1015cc) 1.25-0.3 million years ago

 The earliest in the human lineage.

 Fossils found in Africa.
 This species represents the transformation of the earlier hominins to modern humans.

Neanderthals (1300-15000cc) 500-25 thousand years ago

  Closest extinct human relatives.
 There are excavated sophisticated tools.
 They made use of fire.
 They live in a shelters and wore items of clothing.
 They have burial rituals.

Cultural Adaptation and Evolution

 Biological adaptation and evolutionary changes influence the creation of human cultures.
 Cultural adaptation plays a critical role in the evolution and survival of our species.

- Cultural adaptation- is the capacity of human beings and societies to overcome changes in the
environment through the modifications of their culture.

 Biological and cultural adaptations influence and shape human behaviors.

 Tools that humans create and use are associated with cultural evolution.
 Modern humans are using technologies to address contemporary problems.

Stages of Evolution (HomiHabiEreSap)

Hominid- (a man-like primate) during the age of mammals, the primates were the highest order of mammals.

Homo Habilis- (handy man) invented stone tools

Homo Erectus- (upright man) first manlike creature because they walked straight, used fire, made stone weapons,
and hunted large animals.

Homo Sapiens- (wise man) muscular man, live in small groups of families as hunters or cave dwellers.