Episode
#604 - Robin Dunbar - The Evolutionary Story Of Human Friendship
1:30:42
Published: Mon Mar 20 2023
Description
Robin Dunbar is an anthropologist, evolutionary psychologist, head of the Social and Evolutionary Neuroscience Research Group at the University of Oxford and an author. Most animals need friends to survive. But no other animal has as layered and complex a social life as humans. The last 2 million years from trees to plains to apartments has caused huge changes to the setup of our social groups, and it's a fascinating story. Expect to learn why any group size over 90 ends up with more people being killed than being born, why men don't have a best friend forever but women do, the link between human brain size and social groups, how male and female friendships differ, why the modern world has the most loneliness ever, what the single largest impact on your health is and much more... Sponsors: Get 10% discount on all Gymshark’s products at https://bit.ly/sharkwisdom (use code: MW10) Get $100 discount on the best water filter on earth from AquaTru at https://bit.ly/drinkwisdom (discount automatically applied) Get 20% discount on all Keto Brainz products at https://ketobrainz.com/modernwisdom (use code: MW20) and follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ketobrainz/ Extra Stuff: Buy The Social Brain - https://amzn.to/41YvOt9 Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom - Get in touch. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/
Chapters
This podcast explores the history and evolution of human friendships over the last two million years including the link between brain size and social groups, why men and women form friendships differently, and the impact of loneliness on health.
00:00 - 04:33 (04:33)
Summary
This podcast explores the history and evolution of human friendships over the last two million years including the link between brain size and social groups, why men and women form friendships differently, and the impact of loneliness on health.
Episode#604 - Robin Dunbar - The Evolutionary Story Of Human Friendship
PodcastModern Wisdom
The social brain hypothesis provides an explanation for why primates, including humans, have significantly larger brains than other animals.
04:33 - 17:18 (12:45)
Summary
The social brain hypothesis provides an explanation for why primates, including humans, have significantly larger brains than other animals. The hypothesis also suggests that the complexity of social groups in early human societies is correlated with the size of the human brain.
Episode#604 - Robin Dunbar - The Evolutionary Story Of Human Friendship
PodcastModern Wisdom
Homicide rates increase linearly with the size of the living group in contemporary hunter gatherers.
17:20 - 33:05 (15:44)
Summary
Homicide rates increase linearly with the size of the living group in contemporary hunter gatherers.
Episode#604 - Robin Dunbar - The Evolutionary Story Of Human Friendship
PodcastModern Wisdom
As communities grow in size, social institutions such as men's clubs and religion's rituals are needed to create a sense of belonging and commitment, while also restricting violence through early legislation and cultural technology such as shame and guilt.
33:04 - 49:37 (16:32)
Summary
As communities grow in size, social institutions such as men's clubs and religion's rituals are needed to create a sense of belonging and commitment, while also restricting violence through early legislation and cultural technology such as shame and guilt.
Episode#604 - Robin Dunbar - The Evolutionary Story Of Human Friendship
PodcastModern Wisdom
The circle of empty land quickly expands when following the hunter-gatherer way of life, unlike farming, which can be done yearly on the same piece of land.
49:37 - 1:00:46 (11:08)
Summary
The circle of empty land quickly expands when following the hunter-gatherer way of life, unlike farming, which can be done yearly on the same piece of land. This phenomenon led to the wealth and population explosion seen in farming-led societies in the northern sub-tropical zone and the retreat to defensible positions.
Episode#604 - Robin Dunbar - The Evolutionary Story Of Human Friendship
PodcastModern Wisdom
The nature of male friendships tends to be based on activities and shared experiences, while female friendships are more conversation-based and focused on emotional support.
1:00:46 - 1:11:37 (10:51)
Summary
The nature of male friendships tends to be based on activities and shared experiences, while female friendships are more conversation-based and focused on emotional support.
Episode#604 - Robin Dunbar - The Evolutionary Story Of Human Friendship
PodcastModern Wisdom
The idea of belonging to a group and having an intense sense of solidarity within that group is crucial for defending against outside threats.
1:11:38 - 1:21:07 (09:29)
Summary
The idea of belonging to a group and having an intense sense of solidarity within that group is crucial for defending against outside threats. This concept has been observed in ethnographic literature and even in modern-day cities where women use men as hired guns for protection against harassment and threats.
Episode#604 - Robin Dunbar - The Evolutionary Story Of Human Friendship
PodcastModern Wisdom
The speaker believes that women settle for relationships because they cannot find someone who satisfies all of their requirements.
1:21:07 - 1:29:10 (08:03)
Summary
The speaker believes that women settle for relationships because they cannot find someone who satisfies all of their requirements. He also observes that in romantic relationships, women tend to look at their partners while men look into the distance.
Episode#604 - Robin Dunbar - The Evolutionary Story Of Human Friendship
PodcastModern Wisdom
In this podcast episode, the host has a conversation with Robin Dunbar, discussing his work and research, particularly on social relationships, primate behavior, and brain evolution.
1:29:10 - 1:30:39 (01:28)
Summary
In this podcast episode, the host has a conversation with Robin Dunbar, discussing his work and research, particularly on social relationships, primate behavior, and brain evolution.