Sociobiology
Many animals other than humans form social groups, so sociobiologists aim to explain behaviour and culture by looking at evolutionary processes. This can range from understanding how bees communicate, to looking at how the dominant male in a pride of lions is determined. Sociobiology has had success in explaining the seemingly evolutionarily detrimental trait of altruism - putting another’s survival above one’s own. Because a lot of animal behaviour is instinctive, and genetically determined rather than learnt, there is controversy surrounding the application of similar techniques to human social interactions. However some traits, such as personality, have been found to have a genetic component, so it is possible that sociobiology has more to say about human interactions than some people think.
Articles about sociobiology
Subscribe to unanswered questions that interest you by clicking the 
icons in our articles
Animals certainly communicate – some using sounds, and others using body language, pheromones or even electricity. But does any of this actually constitute language?
Delve deeper into animal communication
Can the toxoplasma gondii parasite change our personalities, behaviours and who we're attracted to?
Delve deeper into toxoplasmosis
Ebola is one of the most contagious and dangerous diseases, but between outbreaks the disease must be hiding somewhere. Some suspect bats, but is this really true?
Delve deeper into bats and ebola
