84.5k views
1 vote
The attempt to differentiate social behavior on the basis of organic and genetic endowment is:

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

The attempt to differentiate social behavior based on organic and genetic endowment relates to the field of sociobiology, which contends that human behavior can be largely explained by genetics and evolution, leading to the ongoing 'nature versus nurture' debate in explaining human social behavior.

Step-by-step explanation:

The attempt to differentiate social behavior on the basis of organic and genetic endowment is predominantly associated with the field of sociobiology. This branch of biology asserts that many social behaviors can be traced back to genetic endowment and evolutionary pressures, which has spurred the long-standing "nature versus nurture" debate. Critics of sociobiology maintain that environmental influences are significantly undervalued when behavior is attributed solely to biological determinism. Sociobiology has moved to explain complex human behaviors like aggressiveness, mating rituals, and other social interactions primarily in terms of genetics and evolutionary benefit, although there is considerable contention regarding the application of this theory to human social behavior.

Organizations within the social sciences such as the American Anthropological Association and the American Psychological Association have rejected biological determinism regarding race, furthering the argument that social construction plays a major role in shaping human behavior. The intersection of cultural, economic, and social backgrounds highlights the multi-faceted nature of understanding human behavior, where both biological factors and social factors are integral.

User Jesseplymale
by
8.6k points