those who know me, they know, i am least likely to follow ‘any’ convention, where i find problem with it,
but, here is an evolutionary study that once again shows, that
if chemps were our animal ancesters, then human race took after them ditto, as to following social conventions.
read & get amused.
& if this inspires any good comments on evolutionary theory, please share.
http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2006/1103/4?etoc
d u s h i
Re: Following convention
Even though I don't completely agree with evolutionary theory but an interesting study indeed.
I agree with the author that, "Learning that performing a certain action results in a reward is not the same as doing something just because everyone else is doing it." For chimpanzees, the learning could most likely be due the attached rewards; but for humans the reason is almost always 'because everyone else is doing it.'
The evolutionary theory tries to link humans to chimpanzees and I don't agree with that aspect of the theory but I agree with the notion that most human behaviors have evolved because they are beneficial to one's survival. So I assume that the behavior of 'following conventions' also gives one some advantage, hence it has become a part of human nature. For instance, someone, who goes against the norms might have to face hindrances and has to struggle to fit in, more than someone conventional, but then again there are always exceptions.