Residence norms measurably shape patterns of human genetic variation

Evidence

If social organization is stable enough to influence the genome, than patrilocal communities should have relatively low variation in their Y chromosomes compared to mitochondrial DNA because sons always stick with their fathers. Similarly, because daughters stick with their mothers, matrilocal communities should show the opposite pattern, low variation in mitochondrial DNA and higher variation in Y chromosomes. This is precisely what Oota’s team found, showing that culturally evolved social norms can shape the genome. — Joseph Henrich, The Secret of Our Success, 311

Categorization

• XREF: Resonates with the reader’s interest in how social institutions shape biological/behavioral outcomes, paralleling the conformity/coercion question. — connects to: Cultural evolution can create selection pressures stronger than natural ones — Joseph Henrich, The Secret of Our Success: How Culture…, 282; Racial categories capture only 7% of human genetic variation — Joseph Henrich, The Secret of Our Success: How Culture…, 315; Human evolution’s selecting environment is recurring face-to-face group configurations — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 390 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Apparent racial inconsistency can reflect adherence to divergent contextual norms #corroborates (0.78) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1889
• Regional racial differences defy personality-based explanations and track social norms instead #corroborates (0.75)
• Human evolution’s selecting environment is recurring face-to-face group configurations #expands (0.72) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 390