The Stone Age Present: How Evolution Has Shaped Modern Life: From Sex, Violence, and Language to Emotions, Morals, and Com

Modern human psychology and behavior has roots in the lives of our Stone Age ancestors, asserts Allman in this lucid and provocative survey of the emerging field of ``evolutionary psychology.'' In his view, our species' primary adaptation was not hunting, toolmaking or language but the ability to cooperate; the dangers and payoffs of dealing with the most treacherous, dangerous animal in the world-- each other --triggered the brain's evolutionary growth. A senior science writer for U.S. News & World Report , Allman draws plausible connections between ancient humans' social cooperation and contemporary behavior such as anger at a mate's infidelity, how men and women choose a partner, our appreciation of music and art, food preferences and much more. He also identifies a downside to our putatitve Stone Age legacy--modern group insularity, racism, rabid nationalism and our difficulty in adjusting to a unifying technological society. (Sept.)