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Moving beyond the adaptationist paradigm for human evolution, and why it matters
Lauren Schroeder1, Rebecca Rogers Ackermann2
1Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada; Human Evolution Research Institute, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa.
Journal of Human Evolution
|December 17, 2022
Summary
This review explores how studying phenotypic variation has reshaped human evolution research over 50 years. It argues for a holistic view of evolutionary processes, moving beyond individual factors like natural selection or genetic drift.
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Human Origins
Background:
- The Journal of Human Evolution (JHE) was established 50 years ago, coinciding with foundational developments in understanding human evolution.
- Early JHE publications significantly influenced the prevailing frameworks for studying human origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the historical evolution of understanding the links between phenotypic variation and evolutionary processes in human evolution.
- To highlight the shift from taxonomic and adaptationist viewpoints to a more nuanced comprehension of human evolutionary history.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of early and contemporary JHE outputs.
- Analysis of how the study of variation has evolved.
- Case studies illustrating shifts in perspective.
Main Results:
- The study of variation has moved research away from solely taxonomic and adaptationist perspectives.
- A more integrated understanding of evolutionary processes (natural selection, gene flow, genetic drift, mutation) is crucial for explaining hominin diversity.
- Authorship demographics within JHE have shifted over 50 years, potentially influencing future research directions.
Conclusions:
- Human evolutionary science benefits from considering multiple evolutionary forces concurrently rather than in isolation.
- Future research should embrace a complex, integrated approach to human evolution.
- Changes in scientific community demographics can reshape the trajectory of evolutionary science.
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