Mating habits similiarities and differences of early man and our primate ancestors

[obmon]

Hello,

Thanks for reading, and forgive me if this topic has been previously discussed at length.

I am working on an argument for a sociological group I partake in, and the debate amongst us is that many of the traits found in humans today are learned as opposed biologically imbedded. I am trying to argue that while the current manifestations of such behavior might be learned, they are, however, based on previous biologically evolved traits (correct terminology?).

The focus was on the modern day relationships between the sexes, and the seemingly natural polygamous trait of males and the hypergamous trait of females. My argument assumes that these traits were a by product of our evolution from primates when we moved from the forests to the plains with Homo Habilis. My friends argue that they are by-products of conditioning brought forth by the advent of agriculture and human (Homo Sapiens Sapiens) socioeconomic governorship and that we can not infer per-determined behavior based on the behavior of our ancestors.

Would you help continue the discussion? Can you help provide references perhaps that may support either argument? What does this board think of the debate and its point?

Thanks again for your time.

[James C. Faris]

Surely the significant difference between early humans and primate ancestors is the incest prohibition.  Most other discussions are going to be about consequences of this feature and not causes of the significance.

[obmon]

Interesting.. incest prohibition never even occured to me.. Was it a natural progression, or a conscience decision?