Sociobiology
Sociobiology
Sociobiology (pronounced soh-see-oh-bi-ol-uh-jee) is a field of biology that aims to examine and explain social behavior in terms of evolution. It draws from disciplines including ethology, anthropology, evolution, zoology, archaeology, and population genetics.
Etymology
The term "sociobiology" was popularized by the American biologist Edward O. Wilson in his 1975 book, Sociobiology: The New Synthesis. The term is derived from the Latin word socius meaning companion or associate, and the Greek word biology meaning the study of life.
Definition
Sociobiology is a synthesis of scientific disciplines that attempts to explain social behavior in all species by considering the evolutionary advantages the behaviors may have. It is often considered a branch of biology and sociology, but also draws from ethology, anthropology, evolution, zoology, archaeology, and population genetics.
Related Terms
- Altruism (biology): In the context of sociobiology, altruism refers to behavior by an individual that increases the fitness of another individual while decreasing the fitness of the actor.
- Kin selection: A concept in sociobiology that refers to changes in gene frequency across generations that are driven at least in part by interactions between related individuals.
- Evolutionary psychology: A theoretical approach in the social and natural sciences that examines psychological structure from a modern evolutionary perspective.
- Behavioral ecology: The study of the evolutionary basis for animal behavior due to ecological pressures.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sociobiology
- Wikipedia's article - Sociobiology
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