Final answer:
Humans are 'social animals' that engage in complex communication, cultural practices, and form groups for survival, making terms like 'cultural animals' or 'communicative animals' potentially more descriptive alternatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "social animals" may sometimes feel incomplete when describing human behavior, as our social interactions can be intricate and multifaceted. While it is true that humans, like many species such as ants, bees, and wolves, exhibit social behaviors necessary for survival, humans also engage in complex communication and cultural practices similar to actors interpreting roles. In this sense, humans can be regarded as both part of the natural world and participants in a cultural 'performance' where we adapt our behavior to social norms and expectations.
Humans form groups and societies, much like other highly social animals, where collaboration and shared responsibilities are key. However, humans also display behaviors that go beyond mere survival, involving elaborate cultural rituals, social norms, and cognitive biases like tribalism. These aspects of human sociality could arguably make 'cultural animals' or 'communicative animals' more descriptive alternatives to 'social animals'.
Our propensity to form groups, align with like-minded individuals, and sometimes view outsiders as a threat can be seen as an evolutionary mechanism that has played a crucial role in human development. Over millions of years, humans have evolved not only to be social but also to create complex cultures and societies that are sustained through advanced communication and shared values.