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A consideration of human xenophobia and ethnocentrism from a sociobiological perspective

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The Evolution of Emotion, Urge and Behavior If intelligence sets us apart among organisms, then I think it is probable that natural selection acted to maximize the flexibility of our behavior. What would be more adaptive for a learning and thinking animal: genes selected for aggression, spite and xenophobia; or selection for learning rules that can generate aggression in appropriate circumstances and peacefulness in others.—Stephen Jay Gould, 1981

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McEvoy, C.J. A consideration of human xenophobia and ethnocentrism from a sociobiological perspective. Hum Rights Rev 3, 39–49 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12142-002-1018-x

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