Chimps and humans are 99% alike when it comes to DNA. Researchers think what makes us different are “lifestyle” changes that occurred 6 million years ago, when we both separated from a common ancestor. These have to do with how we smell and hear things and what we eat.
read more
A long time ago, before we were human, our ancestors had to survive in a world dominated by giant lizards (dinosaurs). “Their brains certainly had to be effective in identifying reptiles in the world around them,” says Swedish psychologist Arne
NOTE: This news story, previously published on our old site, will have any links removed.read more
A new study finds that racism is a product of human evolution, although it is not programmed into the brain. This means that prejudice towards people of other races can be changed.
The research suggests that the tendency to notice someone?s skin color emerged for one reason: to detect shifting coalitions and alliances. Visual cues let people know which side a stranger was on and would have been important in hunter-gatherer societies.
Earlier studies suggested that human brains notice three main characteristics of a person on the first meeting: sex, age and race. But this new research shows that skin color is less important than scientists and psychologists originally thought.
read more