By MIXOTHRICA
Added: Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:34:47 UTC

I am just about to start an MA in Cognitive Science and am already thinking of themes for my thesis or even my eventual PhD. I am wondering if it is worth pursuing a line of inquiry in search of a biological/evolutionary 'reason' for xenophobia. I am certainly not an apologist for this kind of thinking; I merely wish to understand it. When I say 'worth it' I am not talking about the aggrevation that is bound to be generated by the hypothesis but I am wondering if it is a valid question. In short, is there scientific merit in it and is there a credible body of research to prove or disprove it. I feel that xenophobia may be a special case of kin selection that has its roots in our very early ancestors (somewhere before the genus Homo) and which may have gained cultural credence as the earliest bands of human ancestors became more socially cohesive. All information and feedback would be appreciated but please, I am not interested in the moral or ethical implications, just the science. Thank you

TAGGED: BEHAVIOR, EVOLUTION, PSYCHOLOGY