#637 - Tony Volk - The Evolutionary Psychology Of Bullying
Modern Wisdom
Bullying in Ancestral Environments compared to Modern Society
Ancestral hunter-gatherer groups, characterized by mixed-aged and mixed-sex play, created an environment with reduced bullying. In small bands, typically consisting of 20 to 25 people, everyone had to get along and there were no isolated cliques. Mixed-age play reduced the need to show off and compete for status. Moreover, since most individuals were related, there was a kin selection that discouraged attacking others. Adults, such as aunts and uncles, also intervened and were motivated to maintain peace. However, in ancestral environments, bullying could have higher stakes, with potential life-or-death competition for resources. Overall, although bullying might have been less common in the past, it could escalate to serious levels when it did occur.
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