Beyond Biology

Your cultural influences affect your body and choices in profound and unexpected ways.

Beyond Biology introduces the variety of ways that culture can influence us, which can be more obscure and deeper than mere differences in food, language, and customs. Did you know that culture can explain why there are differing rates of multiple sclerosis around the world? Or why Mandarin speakers tend to have higher rates of perfect pitch? Or why Italians avoid milk in their coffee after their morning cup?

Culture influences us in profound ways that are sometimes obvious, like our language and food, but are sometimes not readily apparent, like the shape of our feet and eyes, whom we find attractive, and even our DNA. Based on their traditional diet high in fish, the Inuit have evolved to sustain high levels of iodine intake.

Drawing from the latest research in the field of cultural psychology, Beyond Biology is a compelling introduction to how people have evolved to become a deeply cultural species. The insights reveal what it means to be a person deeply influenced by your culture.