The Evolution of Social Structure: Why Biology Matters.

1. The Evolution of Social Structure: Why Biology Matters. Pierce, B. & White, R. (1999). The evolution of social structure: why biology matters. Academy of Management Review, 24, 843-853.

2. Video • video clip

3. Introduction • Human behavior, including social behavior, is a result of the interplay between perceived environmental cues and innate psychological mechanisms • Our evolutionary ancestors have been members of social groups for millions of years • Psychological mechanisms that helped our ancestors solve survival problems have become encoded genetically • These innate mechanisms continue to influence our social behavior today

4. These does not mean that our behavior is predetermined • Rather human behavior is very flexible because these innate mechanisms are domain specific—tailored to solve specific problems and activated only when certain cues are perceived

5. Social Structure • Agonic Mode • Stable troops of dominant and submissive members that travel together • Those who attain and maintain dominance do so through obvert acts and displays of aggression • Members of the group keep their attention on the dominants • When danger threatens, members look to dominant for protection

6. Social Structure • Hedonic Mode • Behavior is much more flexible • Members split into small foraging groups • Rank is not rigid • When danger threatens, members group together for protection

7. Why would there be two distinct social structures within the same species? • Type of structure is dependent upon resource context • There are four characteristics of resource context that are constantly linked to social behavior

8. Resource Context • Distribution • When resources are clumped together, animals tend to be more aggressive • Visibility • High visibility (savannas) encourages competitive behavior • Low visibility allows animals to forage without worrying about competitors

9. Resource Context • Predictability • When resources are highly predictable, animals forage in large groups and behave in an agonic manner • When resources are less predictable, animals scatter into small groups or even forage alone • Timing • When animals do not wait to consume their resources, they are more aggressive • When they delay their consumption, they show less competitive behavior

10. Parallels in Human Behavior • Mechanistic Human Organizations • Hierarchical • Importance of control, authority, and rank • Similar to the agonic mode • Organic Systems • Stratified, but nonhierarchical • Authority flows depending on task at hand • Similar to hedonic mode

11. Implications • Even though we no longer live on the savanna, our innate mechanisms may influence us to behave as though we do • Employers have the ability to produce a certain type of working atmosphere is they utilize one of these modes • We are social beings, always have been and always will be

12. Limitations of Article • Even though the authors made a connection between the social structures of our evolutionary ancestors and the work place today, it could have been more defined. • Relied too much on outside research. • It could have incorporated more studies concerning human social structure today.

13. 3 Interesting Findings • “Our ancestors have been members of social groups and engaged in social interaction for millions and probably tens of millions of years.” • Despite the variability of the resource context, it is apparent that our ancestors grouped together in some fashion. This displays the very important survival function of a group. • Even in the complex world of today, where the resource context is much different from that of our ancestors, humans undoubtedly form groups in order to better their lives. • According to Harvard professor Robert Putnam, social isolation may be as big of a risk factor for death as smoking— it may even be bigger.

14. Test Questions • Which is NOT a characteristic of resource context? • Timing • Visibility • Amount • Having innate psychological mechanisms means that • Humans have no free will • Humans act like monkeys • Humans are influenced by their evolutionary ancestors • If an employer wanted to promote a free-flowing, nonhierarchical working environment, he should try to simulate a _______ atmosphere • Organic • Mechanistic

15. True/False • Evolved psychological mechanisms are domain specific. • Our evolutionary ancestors were not social beings. • More than one type of social structure can be found in a single species.