Society Archives

Racial Scapegoating: Blame the Minority

What is racial scapegoating? How does victim-blaming of the racial minorities contribute to reinforcement of the white supremacist ideology? Racial scapegoating is the practice of singling out a racial group for unmerited blame and the ensuing punishment. In doing so, the dominant caste feels relief that they’re not at fault, reinforcing their forged status of superiority. Keep reading for more about racial scapegoating and some of its historical examples.

The Culture Map: How to Use This Tool at Work

What is the culture map and how does Netflix use it? How can it help you better understand the different cultures of people you work with? A culture map is a tool that maps out key characteristics of a given culture. Understanding points of overlap and deviation help you communicate better across cultures. Read more about the culture map as a tool and how Netflix was able to use it successfully.

Elaine Aron: Highly Sensitive Person Research Findings

What did Elaine Aron find in her highly sensitive person research? How do these findings relate to introverts? According to Elaine Aron, a highly sensitive person (HSP) has 27 characteristics based on research. Of HSPs, 70% are introverts so introverts are often associated with these traits. Keep reading for more about Elaine Aron, highly sensitive person research, and introverts.

Soft Power and Hard Power: Cultural Differences

What is the difference between soft power and hard power? Where do you see these different forms of power? Soft power and hard power are ways of describing the preference for an extrovert ideal or not. In Asian cultures, soft power is appreciated more than the hard power revered in American society. Keep reading to better understand soft power and hard power.

Free Trait Theory Explains How Personality Changes

What is the free trait theory? How can it help explain the way people are able to have seemingly different personalities for different situations? Free trait theory is the idea that some of our personality traits are changeable. Other psychologists argue that personality is fixed. Read more about free trait theory.

Cultural Inheritance is Passed Down Just Like Genes

What is culture and how does it spread? How does cultural inheritance compare to genetic inheritance? Cultural inheritance spreads just like genetic inheritance. Culture is replicated in minds and genes are replicated in the bodies. Keep reading for more about cultural inheritance and the evolution of culture.

Competition for Limited Resources & Genetic Survival

How does the competition for limited resources affect genetics? What factors can influence competition between animals? The competition for limited resources creates natural conflict in the animal world. In The Selfish Gene, the competition is expected because the goal is to ensure your genes live on. Read more about the competition for limited resources and how it relates to genetics, as described in The Selfish Gene.

The Extended Phenotype: Selfishness Beyond the Gene

What is the extended phenotype? How does it help reframe biology from the genetic perspective? The extended phenotype begins with Richard Dawkins’ premise that life is all about replicating genes. So, the extended phenotype explains biology using the gene-first context. Read more about the extended phenotype and how it works.

Richard Dawkins: Evolution and Cellular Bottlenecking

What is Richard Dawkins say about evolution? How does The Selfish Gene reframe evolution? In The Selfish Gene, Richard Dawkins addresses evolution. He argues that current perspectives are too narrow and life should be viewed from the genetic level. But with evolution, Richard Dawkins identifies a phenomenon known as cellular bottlenecking. Read on for more about Richard Dawkins, evolution, and cellular bottlenecking.

Group Selection: Groups Survive or Die Together

What is group selection? Is it the same as natural selection or is it a unique concept? Group selection is a type of natural selection that applies to groups. Individuals may be altruistic towards one another, but it is for the good of a group of animals surviving and passing on their genes. Read more about group selection and what it looks like.