Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 128 | Joseph Henrich on the Weirdness of the West
Jan 4, 2021
In a fascinating conversation, Joseph Henrich, a Harvard professor specializing in cultural evolution, unveils the biases introduced by focusing on WEIRD populations in psychological research. He proposes a bold theory linking cultural practices, such as the Catholic Church's stance on kinship, to the emergence of modern Western psychology. The dialogue delves into empathy, moral perspectives across cultures, and how shifts in family structures reflect broader societal changes. Henrich challenges us to rethink our understanding of identity and human behavior through diverse cultural lenses.
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WEIRD Participants
- Most psychology studies use WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) participants.
- WEIRD people often represent extreme outliers, not the norm, in psychological traits.
Ultimatum Game
- The ultimatum game shows how fairness perceptions vary across cultures.
- WEIRD people are more likely to reject unfair offers, even if it means getting nothing.
Chimpanzee Selfishness
- Chimpanzees, unlike humans, show indifference to others' gains in experiments.
- They consistently prioritize self-interest, acting like the "ideal economic actor."
