SOC 111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Hominidae, Social Darwinism, Social Forces
Document Summary
Variability within species due to chance genetic mutation. Population of any given species tends to increases beyond its means of subsistence: subsistence beyond what the environment can sustain. Struggle for existence within and between species. Ex) global warming: changing environment, chance genetic mutation, best adapted survive. Misuse of dar(cid:449)i(cid:374)"s theory a(cid:374)d (cid:862)sur(cid:448)i(cid:448)al of the fittest(cid:863) theory. Misconception: those who are successful are the most fit. Ignores social forces race, class, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age. Humans belong to mammalian order primates: share order with great apes (gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, humans closet animal ancestors are apes, primates longer gestation period increased infant dependency complex long lasting social groups. Ancestors walked on all fours tree dwellers lived in small bands. Climate change: 7 million years ago, shift from. Forest to savannah ancestors of apes today. Tree to ground dwellers ancestors of humans: biological evolutionary adaptations, survival. Symbols shared understanding: words, gestures, objects, learned and transmitted, constantly changing.
