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The Dissenter

#344 Joseph Henrich: Cultural Evolution, Human Cooperation, and WEIRD Psychology

Jun 19, 2020
Dr. Joseph Henrich discusses integrating social sciences, biases in cultural transmission, and evolution of human cooperation. They delve into prosocial behavior, societal scaling, and cultural influences on genetic development. The conversation challenges traditional views on IQ and explores the concept of WEIRD psychology in Western societies.
01:13:57

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Quick takeaways

  • Cultural evolution drove human brain expansion and interconnectedness for technological growth.
  • Prosocial religions foster cooperation in large societies through trust and social cohesion.

Deep dives

Evolution of Cultural Evolution

Humans' brain expansion has been fueled by cultural evolution, which required storing and acquiring valuable information. A collective brain with interconnected minds is crucial for technological growth. The idea is that once information accumulates in minds, a larger brain is needed. Collective intelligence plays a bigger role, increasing interconnectedness is key.

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