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New paper will appear soon in Evolution and Human Behaviour by R. Lynch, V. Lummaa & J. Loehr: see the early version!

Self sacrifice and kin psychology in war: threats to family predict decisions to volunteer for a women's paramilitary organization

The conditions that propel humans to make sacrifices for groups of unrelated, and often unknown, individuals has received considerable attention across scientific disciplines. Evolutionary explanations for this type of sacrifice have focused on how men form strategic coalitions organized around kin networks and reciprocity when faced with out-group threats. Few studies, however, have analyzed how wome n respond to external threats. Using data from one of the largest female paramilitary organizations in history we show that women who have more brothers, women whose husbands serve in the military and women without children are more likely to volunteer. These results provide qualified support for the hypothesis that women are more likely to sacrifice for their country when members of their family are at risk. Overall, our analysis suggests that self-sacrifice and intense bonding with an imagined community of unknown individuals, such as the nation state, may arise out of a suite of psychological adaptations designed to facilitate cooperation among kin (i.e. kin psychology). These results can be interpreted within the framework of kin selection showing how individuals come to view unrelated group members as family. They may also shed light on various theories of group alignment, such as ‘identity fusion’ – whereby individuals align their personal identity and interests with those of the group – and on our understanding of evolutionary adaptations that cause women to direct altruism toward in-groups.

Kin selection | kin psychology | identity fusion | self sacrifice | out-group threat | risk tolerance|

Read the accepted manuscript here

 

Other News

New paper in Evolution and Human Behaviour by Pettay et al. in press

Family dynamics and age-related patterns in marriage probability

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Kirkonkirjojen valtaisa tallennustyö liki valmis

Tarja Repo / STT

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Lummaa Group Grannies had a great meeting in Lammi Biological Station

Special thanks to John Loerh and all the staff at the Lammi Biological Station, University of Helsinki for hosting us!

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Photo by Jonathan Webb, edited by Esko Pettay

Virpi Lummaa interviewed in the Guardian: What is the menopause and when does it strike?

It’s a natural part of the female life cycle – so why don’t we talk more about the menopause, its debilitating effects and possible mitigation?

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Virpi Lummaa Suomalaisen Tiedeakatemian jäseneksi

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“Grandmother Hypothesis” Gets Some Support - The Scientist 7.2.2019

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New paper out in Nature by Robert Lynch et al.

Karelia-project's newest paper by Robert Lynch, Virpi Lummaa, Kathrik

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Simon's newest paper is published online in Current Biology

ScienceNews 7.2.2019

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Virpi in WEF Annual Meeting 2019 in Davos

Virpi Lummaa is participating in the World Economic Forum Annual meeting in Davos, speaking about her research e.g. in the session ERC IdeaLab: Healthy Ageing.

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Welcome to the multidisciplinary seminar HUMAN EVOLUTION AND CULTURAL CHANGE 1-2.11.2018

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Prof. Virpi Lummaa

Academy Professor
virpi.lummaa (at) utu.fi

Dr. Anne Hemmi

Research Coordinator
hemmi (at) utu.fi

University of Turku
Department of Biology
Natura
Vesilinnantie 5
20014 University of Turku
Finland

Academy of Finland
University of Turku