Roots of Human Sociality: Culture, Cognition and Interaction Contributor(s): Levinson, Stephen C. (Editor), Enfield, Nicholas J. (Editor) |
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ISBN: 1845203933 ISBN-13: 9781845203931 Publisher: Routledge OUR PRICE: $152.00 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: September 2006 Annotation: The book attempts for the first time to explore the underlying properties of social interaction viewed from across many disciplines, and examines their origin in infant development and in human evolution. Are interaction patterns in adulthood affected by cultural differences in childhood upbringing? Apes, unlike human infants of only twelve months, fail to understand pointing and the intention behind it. Nevertheless apes can imitate and analyze complex behavior--how do they do it? Deaf children brought up by speaking parents invent their own languages. How might adults deprived of a fully organized language communicate? The book makes the case that the study of these sorts of phenomena holds the key to understanding the foundations of human social life. The conclusion: our unique brand of social interactions at the root of what makes us human. |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Sociology - General - Social Science | Anthropology - General - Social Science | Social Work |
Dewey: 306.01 |
LCCN: 2006021669 |
Series: Wenner-Gren International Symposium |
Physical Information: 1.1" H x 6" W x 9.3" (2.40 lbs) 544 pages |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: This book marks an exciting convergence towards the idea that human culture and cognition are rooted in the character of human social interaction, which is unique in the animal kingdom. Roots of Human Sociality attempts for the first time to explore the underlying properties of social interaction viewed from across many disciplines, and examines their origins in infant development and in human evolution. Are interaction patterns in adulthood affected by cultural differences in childhood upbringing? Apes, unlike human infants of only 12 months, fail to understand pointing and the intention behind it. Nevertheless apes can imitate and analyze complex behavior - how do they do it? Deaf children brought up by speaking parents invent their own languages. How might adults deprived of a fully organized language communicate?This book makes the case that the study of these sorts of phenomenon holds the key to understanding the foundations of human social life. The conclusion: our unique brand of social interaction is at the root of what makes us human. |
Contributor Bio(s): Enfield, Nicholas J.: - Nicholas J. Enfield is at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Levinson, Stephen C.: -Stephen C. Levinson is at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. |