Cultural Evolution Research Needs to Include Human Behavioural Ecology

Human culture changes over time and varies across space. Two main approaches to study cultural evolution have developed in the last fifty years: human behavioural ecology a suite of perspectives centred on role transmission. The latter are often confusingly referred with name phenomenon they trying explain, ‘cultural evolution’. We argue that this is unhelpful generating confusion, as evident assertion disregards evolution. aim explain behaviours, vast majority them at least some extent cultural. In addition, forms part determines costs benefits associated adopting behaviour. Thus, ecologists studied from very beginning, even though not focussed social learning. explore three examples detail: kinship systems, religious institutions, witchcraft belief. then use framework offered by Tinbergen’s [1963, Z Tierpsychol, 20(4), 410–433] four evolutionary questions about behaviour how transmission can complement each other. Moreover, we discuss several difficulties highlight ecological view sometimes diverges them. conclude suggesting field move forward achieve greater synthesis exploring selective processes acting biological fitness differ those – two might interact behaviours.