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Special human vulnerability to low-cost collective punishment

  • University of Cape Town

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Guala notes that low-cost punishment is the main mechanism that deters free-riding in small human communities. This mechanism is complemented by unusual human vulnerability to gossip. Defenders of an evolutionary discontinuity supporting human sociality might seize on this as an alternative to enjoyment of moralistic aggression as a special adaptation. However, the more basic adaptation of language likely suffices.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)37-38
Number of pages2
JournalBehavioral and Brain Sciences
Volume35
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2012
Externally publishedYes

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