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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.�

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

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.