Evolutionary psychology and anthropology

Heiner Rindermann

Chapter 11 in Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology, 2026, pp 183-202 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The chapter describes the research field of anthropology. It follows three basic assumptions: (1) humans are to be considered in their biological aspects like any other living being, (2) empirical-descriptive biological and psychological questions are to be distinguished from ethical-normative and political ones, (3) categories (concepts, classes such as colors, species, subspecies or ethnic groups) are products of the human mind. The scientific study of anthropology is questioned by three opposing viewpoints: by a traditional religious worldview, by the ideology of National Socialism, and by a left-wing worldview. An important question in anthropology concerns the intraspecific differentiation of humans – are humans mono- or polytypic? Whether a differentiation into evolutionary groups is relevant is examined on the basis of physical-medical and psychological-behavioral characteristics. Frequently raised objections are addressed and discussed. Due to ongoing evolution, due to relevant differences within subspecies, and due to admixture, it is recommended to use a finer and quantified evolutionary background variable in addition to a conventional racial-subspecific categorization.

Keywords: Anthropology; Evolution; Subspecies; Human Races; Biological; Psychological Differences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035332496
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