Groups ― The Evolution of Human Sociality

This collection of essays investigates the nature and origins of human sociality through anthropology and primatology. Unlike many other books, these essays break down that disciplinary barrier and are grouped by theme rather than species. They are organized in four sections that consider different methodologies for investigating the diversity that is primate sociality, the formation of impermanent social groups, the creation and development of "we" consciousness, and new theories of groups. A concluding chapter describes the move from thinking about groups to institutions. The essays consider human groups from all over the world, but focus on non-industrial societies. At the end of each of the four sections are extra "articles" that explore a theme recurring in the section, such as neglected female chimpanzee perspectives, the logic of tribal warfare in the Papua New Guinea highlands, and awareness of belonging among the Luo of Kenya. The contributors are Japanese professors of humanities, anthropology, and Asian and African area studies. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)