Fundamental sociality of the human mind

Abstract

This paper outlines the Hokkaido University 21^<st> Century "Center for the Study of Cultural and Ecological Foundations of the Mind". While sharing a research focus on the "fundamental sociality" of the human mind with other top institutions around the world, our center is unique in emphasizing the mutual construction of mind and society, something we call micro-macro dynamics. We view the human mind as a toolbox that contains adaptive tools useful in solving social adaptation tasks. The social environment that engenders social adaptation tasks for our mind to solve, on the other hand, is our creation. Answering the question of how we collectively create and maintain the social environment that in turn provides incentives for us to develop a particular set of psychological tools is the unique goal of our Center.