Survival of the Friendliest: Understanding Our Origins and Rediscovering Our Common Humanity

Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities. In the book, this term is discussed in the context of human relationships with animals and how anthropomorphism can both positively and negatively influence our understanding of them. Anthropomorphism is a double-edged sword, helping us empathize with animals but also leading to misconceptions.

Cooperation is a foundational theme in Survival of the Friendliest. The authors assert that cooperation has been crucial to human evolution, enabling the formation of complex social structures and communities. By working together, humans have been able to achieve feats that would be impossible individually. The book explores numerous examples from history, anthropology, and animal behavior to support this idea.

Cultural evolution refers to the changes in human culture over time, as ideas, beliefs, and practices are passed down and modified across generations. It is often seen as a parallel process to genetic evolution in human development. The authors explore how cultural evolution has shaped human societies, emphasizing the role of cooperation and social learning in this process.

Dehumanization refers to the process of depriving a person or group of recognition as human. In the book, dehumanization is revealed as a destructive practice that underpins prejudice, violence, and conflict. The authors discuss historical and contemporary instances of dehumanization, linking it to broader themes of empathy and social cohesion.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. The book emphasizes empathy as a crucial factor in human social evolution. The authors argue that empathy has enabled humans to form strong social bonds, cooperate effectively, and build complex societies. Empathy is presented as a counterbalance to aggression and a key to overcoming social challenges.

Friendliness, in the context of the book, refers to behaviors and attitudes that promote social bonding and cooperation. The authors argue that friendliness is not just a social nicety but an evolutionary strategy that has helped humans survive and thrive. This term is used to highlight how positive social interactions have shaped human development.

Group identity is the significance attached to a sense of specific group membership. The book discusses how group identity can both unite and divide people, depending on whether it fosters cooperation or exclusion. Understanding group identity is crucial for addressing issues of prejudice and conflict.

Human exceptionalism is the belief that humans are fundamentally different from and superior to other animals. The authors challenge this notion, arguing that many of the traits we consider uniquely human, such as empathy and cooperation, are shared with other species. This term is used to question traditional views of human nature and highlight our connection to the animal world.

Humanitarianism is the promotion of human welfare and social reform. The authors discuss how humanitarian principles align with the themes of empathy and cooperation. By advocating for the well-being of all people, humanitarianism reflects the book’s message of friendliness and social bonding as keys to human progress.

Intergroup contact refers to interactions between members of different social, ethnic, or cultural groups. The book emphasizes the importance of intergroup contact in reducing prejudice and fostering understanding. By promoting positive interactions between diverse groups, societies can build more inclusive and harmonious communities.

Kinship refers to the bonds formed between family members. The book explores how kinship has played a role in human social evolution, creating strong networks of support and cooperation. The authors also discuss how the concept of kinship extends beyond biological families to include social and community bonds.

Reciprocal altruism is a behavior in which an individual acts to benefit another with the expectation that the favor will be returned in the future. The authors discuss how this concept explains many instances of cooperation and support within human societies. Reciprocal altruism helps build trust and long-term partnerships.

Self-domestication is the process by which humans have evolved to become more sociable and cooperative. The authors argue that human self-domestication is a comparable process to the domestication of animals, where less aggressive and more social traits have been deliberately selected over generations. Self-domestication is a central concept in the book, used to explain many aspects of human behavior and societal development.

Social bonds are the connections between individuals that form the basis of social networks and communities. The authors highlight the significance of social bonds in human evolution, arguing that strong social bonds have been essential for survival and success. These bonds enable cooperation, support, and collective action.

Social Dominance Orientation is a measure of an individual’s preference for hierarchy within social systems and the dominance of certain groups over others. High SDO individuals tend to support social structures that maintain group dominance, while low SDO individuals favor equality. The book discusses SDO in relation to prejudice, inequality, and social hierarchy.

Symbiosis is a specific biological term describing a close and often long-term interaction between two species to further mutual survival. The book also uses this term to describe mutually beneficial relationships, such as those between humans and domesticated animals. The authors use symbiosis to highlight the interconnectedness of life and the benefits of cooperation across species and in the animal kingdom.

Tolerance is the willingness to accept and respect different beliefs, behaviors, and identities. In Survival of the Friendliest, tolerance is explored as a critical component of peaceful and cooperative societies. The authors provide examples of how tolerance can reduce conflict and promote social harmony.