Gene and culture coevolution and interaction: A review of empirical findings and future directions

Abstract

A fundamental question is how cultural phenomena are created (i.e., how cultures are formed and maintained, and why different cultures have emerged). One approach to this question is to focus on the possibility that genes and sociocultural environments have coevolved and interacted. This review highlights empirical findings on the coevolution of genes and culture and the genetic basis of sociocultural differences including Western and Eastern cultural differences. Moreover, this review refers to the problem of false-positive associations between gene polymorphism and behavioral traits in the studies on gene and culture coevolution and interaction. Future directions and research strategies in studies on gene and culture coevolution and interaction are discussed.