The mathematical modelling of human culture and its implications for psychology and the human sciences

Recent years have seen the growth of a new and exciting field of theoretical research concerned with the mathematical modelling of human culture, and of its interaction with genetics. Drawing on analogies between genetic and cultural processes, mathematically sophisticated biologists have used population genetics models as the basis for the development of analogous models of cultural transmission, cultural evolution and gene-culture co-evolution. These models are designed to describe and analyse the diffusion of cultural traits through populations, under the influence of various cultural and evolutionary forces. They have already been applied to address many problems of interest to psychologists. Here I present an introduction to these models, explaining the mathematics in simple terms, and giving examples of the work of leading theorists. I go on to discuss the findings of most relevance to psychology, critically analysing the most important conclusions. Finally, I suggest some areas of psychology in which these models might usefully be applied. I argue that these models constitute a major theoretical innovation, and that there is considerable potential for their application in psychology.