Domesticated Preferences

Abstract

Humans are neither purely self-interested nor unboundedly rational. Understanding how and why behavior deviates from traditional assumptions is a crucial challenge. We present an evolutionary model consistent with a leading framework in evolutionary biology: Human Self-Domestication. We propose that around 500,000 years ago, self-interested band elders began selectively shunning undesirable youth. We show this process would have favored traits such as reduced reactive aggression, increased in-group altruism, cooperative communication, intellectual ability, obedience to authority, and heightened aggression toward out-groups. These are observed human traits. Mindful intervention by self-interested elders could have steered the evolutionary trajectory of human economic behavior.

Keywords: preferences, domestication, evolution, altruism, parochialism