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.
S
Video
S video clip
Introduction
S Human behavior, including social behavior, is a result of the
interplay between perceived environmental cues and innate
psychological mechanisms
S Our evolutionary ancestors have been members of social groups
for millions of years
S Psychological mechanisms that helped our ancestors solve
survival problems have become encoded genetically
S These innate mechanisms continue to influence our social
behavior today
S These does not mean that our behavior is predetermined
S 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
S Agonic Mode
S Stable troops of dominant and submissive members that travel
together
S Those who attain and maintain dominance do so through
obvert acts and displays of aggression
S Members of the group keep their attention on the dominants
S When danger threatens, members look to dominant for
protection
Social Structure
S Hedonic Mode
S Behavior is much more flexible
S Members split into small foraging groups
S Rank is not rigid
S When danger threatens, members group together for protection
S Why would there be two distinct social structures within the
same species?
S Type of structure is dependent upon resource context
S
There are four characteristics of resource context that are
constantly linked to social behavior
Resource Context
S Distribution
S When resources are clumped together, animals tend to be more
aggressive
S Visibility
S High visibility (savannas) encourages competitive behavior
S Low visibility allows animals to forage without worrying about
competitors
Resource Context
S Predictability
S When resources are highly predictable, animals forage in large
groups and behave in an agonic manner
S When resources are less predictable, animals scatter into small
groups or even forage alone
S Timing
S When animals do not wait to consume their resources, they are
more aggressive
S When they delay their consumption, they show less
competitive behavior
Parallels in Human Behavior
S Mechanistic Human Organizations
S Hierarchical
S Importance of control, authority, and rank
S Similar to the agonic mode
S Organic Systems
S Stratified, but nonhierarchical
S Authority flows depending on task at hand
S Similar to hedonic mode
Implications
S Even though we no longer live on the savanna, our innate
mechanisms may influence us to behave as though we do
S Employers have the ability to produce a certain type of
working atmosphere is they utilize one of these modes
S We are social beings, always have been and always will be
Limitations of Article
S 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.
S Relied too much on outside research.
S It could have incorporated more studies concerning human
social structure today.
3 Interesting Findings
S “Our ancestors have been members of social groups and engaged
in social interaction for millions and probably tens of millions of
years.”
S 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.
S 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.
S 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
S Which is NOT a characteristic of resource context?
S
Timing
S
Visibility
S
Amount
S Having innate psychological mechanisms means that
S Humans have no free will
S Humans act like monkeys
S Humans are influenced by their evolutionary ancestors
S If an employer wanted to promote a free-flowing, nonhierarchical
working environment, he should try to simulate a _______
atmosphere
S
Organic
S
Mechanistic
True/False
S Evolved psychological mechanisms are domain specific.
S Our evolutionary ancestors were not social beings.
S More than one type of social structure can be found in a
single species.