Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Missing Link: The Biological Roots of the Business Sciences

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Evolutionary Psychology in the Business Sciences

Abstract

Despite a growing infusion of the evolutionary behavioral sciences in general, and evolutionary psychology in particular, across a wide range of disciplines, the business sciences have been slow in recognizing the relevance and explanatory power afforded by this consilient meta-framework. Humans possess minds and bodies that have been forged by a long evolutionary history. Hence, to fully comprehend all of the human cognitions, emotions, preferences, choices, and behaviors that shape marketplace realities, be it those of consumers, employees, or employers, business scholars must incorporate biology and evolutionary theory within their theoretical toolkits. Scientists typically operate at the proximate realm, namely they seek to explain the mechanistic details of phenomena whereas ultimate explanations tackle the Darwinian forces that would have led to their evolution. Both levels of analyses are needed when investigating biological organisms including Homo consumericus and Homo corporaticus.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aldrich HE, Martinez MA (2001) Many are called, but few are chosen: an evolutionary perspective of the study of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship Theor Pract 25:41–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexander GM (2003) An evolutionary perspective of sex-typed toy preferences: pink, blue, and the brain. Arch Sex Behav 32:7–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander GM, Hines M (2002) Sex differences in response to children’s toys in nonhuman primates (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus). Evol Hum Behav 23:467–479

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ambler T, Hollier EA (2004) The waste in advertising is the part that works. J Advert Res 44:375–389

    Google Scholar 

  • Archer J (1997) Why do people love their pets? Evol Hum Behav 18:237–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ariely D, Berns GS (2010) Neuromarketing: the hope and hype of neuroimaging in business. Nat Rev Neurosci 11:284–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barber N (1999) Women’s dress fashions as a function of reproductive strategy. Sex Roles 40:459–471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bar-Cohen Y (2006) Biomimetics—using nature to inspire human innovation. Bioinspir Biomim 1:P1–P12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Basu S, Waymire GB (2006) Recordkeeping and human evolution. Account Horiz 20:201–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Ner A, Putterman L (2000) On some implications of evolutionary psychology for the study of preferences and institutions. J Econ Behav Organ 43:91–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benyus JM (2002) Biomimicry: innovation inspired by nature. Harper Perennial, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Berenbaum SA, Hines M (1992) Early androgens are related to childhood sex-typed toy preferences. Psychol Sci 3:203–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernhardt PC, Dabbs JM Jr, Fielden JA, Lutter CD (1998) Testosterone changes during vicarious experiences of winning and losing among fans at sporting events. Physiol Behav 65:59–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braithwaite J (2005) Hunter-gatherer human nature and health system safety: an evolutionary cleft stick? Int J Qual Health Care 17:541–545

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braithwaite J (2008) Lekking displays in contemporary organizations: ethologically oriented, evolutionary and cross-species accounts of male dominance. J Health Organ Manage 22:529–559

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briers B, Pandelaere M, Dewitte S, Warlop L (2006) Hungry for money: The desire for caloric resources increases the desire for financial resources and vice versa. Psychol Sci 17:939–943

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Browne KR (2006) Sex, power, and dominance: the evolutionary psychology of sexual harassment. Manage Decis Econ 27:145–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burd M (2010) Hunting, gathering, investing, globalizing: the biological roots of economic behaviour. Syst Res Behav Sci 27:510–522

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cary MS (2000) Ad strategy and the stone age brain. J Advertising Res 40:103–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Cesarini D, Dawes CT, Fowler JH, Johannesson M, Lichtenstein P, Wallace B (2008) Heritability of cooperative behavior in the trust game. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105:3721–3726

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cesarini D, Johannesson M, Lichtenstein P, Sandewall Ö, Wallace B (2010) Genetic variation in financial decision-making. J Finance 65:1725–1754

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen MK, Lakshminarayanan V, Santos LR (2006) How basic are behavioral biases? Evidence from capuchin monkey trading behavior. J Polit Econ 114:517–537

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coates JM, Gurnell M, Rustichini A (2009) Second-to-fourth digit ratio predicts success among high-frequency financial traders. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 106:623–628

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coates JM, Herbert J (2008) Endogenous steroids and financial risk taking on a London trading floor. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 105:6167–6172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coelho PRP, McClure JE, Tunc E (2004) Managing Homo sapiens. Total Qual Manage 15:191–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colarelli SM (2003) No best way: an evolutionary perspective on human resource management. Praeger, Westport

    Google Scholar 

  • Colarelli SM, Dettman JR (2003) Intuitive evolutionary perspectives in marketing practices. Psychol Market 20:837–865

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cordes C (2006) Darwinism in economics: from analogy to continuity. J Evol Econ 16:529–541

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cronk L, Dunham B (2007) Amounts spent on engagement rings reflect aspects of male and female mate quality. Hum Nat 18:329–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daly M, Wilson M (2005) Carpe diem: adaptation and devaluing the future. Q Rev Biol 80:55–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis H, McLeod SL (2003) Why humans value sensational news: an evolutionary perspective. Evol Hum Behav 24:208–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dennis C, McCall A (2005) The savannah hypothesis of shopping. Bus Strat Rev 16:12–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Devezas TC (2005) Evolutionary theory of technological change: state-of-the-art and new approaches. Technol Forecast Soc Change 72:1137–1152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickhaut J, Basu S, McCabe K, Waymire G (2010) Neuroaccounting: consilience between the biologically evolved brain and culturally evolved accounting principles. Acc Horiz 24:221–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DiClemente DF, Hantula DA (2003) Optimal foraging online: increasing sensitivity to delay. Psychol Mark 20:785–809

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dopfer K (2005) (Ed) The evolutionary foundations of economics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn MJ, Searle R (2010) Effect of manipulated prestige-car ownership on both sex attractiveness ratings. Br J Psychol 101:69–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durante KM, Griskevicius V, Hill SE, Perilloux C, Li NP (2011) Ovulation, female competition, and product choice: hormonal influences on consumer behavior. J Cons Res 37:921–934

    Google Scholar 

  • Durante KM, Li NP, Haselton MG (2008) Changes in women’s choice of dress across the ovulatory cycle: naturalistic and laboratory task-based evidence. Pers Soc Psychol Bull 34:1451–1460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durante KM, Saad G (2010) Ovulatory shifts in women’s social motives and behaviors: implications for corporate organizations. In: Stanton A, Day M, Welpe I (eds) Neuroeconomics and the firm. Edward Elgar, Northampton, pp 116–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Eyuboglu N, Buja A (2007) Quasi-Darwinian selection in marketing relationships. J Mark 71:48–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falk JH, Balling JD (2010) Evolutionary influence on human landscape preference. Environ Behav 42:479–493

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fessler DMT (2001) Luteal phase immunosuppression and meat eating. Riv Biol Biol Forum 94:403–426

    Google Scholar 

  • Fessler DMT (2003) No time to eat: an adaptationist account of periovulatory behavioral changes. Q Rev Biol 78:3–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frank J (1999) Applying memetics to financial markets: do markets evolve towards efficiency. J Memet 3. Available at http://cfpm.org/jom-emit/1999/vol3/frank_j.html

  • Gandolfi AE, Gandolfi AS, Barash DP (2000) Economics as an evolutionary science: from utility to fitness. Transaction Publishers, Piscataway

    Google Scholar 

  • Garcia JR, Geher G, Crosier B, Saad G, Gambacorta D, Johnsen L, Pranckitas E (2011) The interdisciplinarity of evolutionary approaches to human behavior: a key to survival in the ivory archipelago. Futures, forthcoming

    Google Scholar 

  • Garcia JR, Saad G (2008) Evolutionary neuromarketing: Darwinizing the neuroimaging paradigm for consumer behavior. J Consum Behav 7:397–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gigerenzer G (2000) Adaptive thinking: rationality in the real world. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Glimcher PW, Camerer CF, Fehr E, Poldrack RA (eds) (2009) Neuroeconomics: decision making and the brain. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Grammer K, Renninger L, Fischer B (2004) Disco clothing, female sexual motivation, and relationship status: is she dressed to impress? J Sex Res 41:66–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray PB (2004) Evolutionary and cross-cultural perspectives on gambling. J Gambl Stud 20:347–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood CA (2010) Evolutionary theory: the missing link for conceptualizing public relations. J Public Relat Res 22:456–476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griskevicius V, Goldstein NJ, Mortensen CR, Sundie JM, Cialdini RB, Kenrick DT (2009) Fear and loving in Las Vegas: evolution, emotion, and persuasion. J Mark Res XLVI:384–395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griskevicius V, Tybur JM, Sundie JM, Cialdini RB, Miller GF, Kenrick DT (2007) Blatant benevolence and conspicuous consumption: when romantic motives elicit strategic costly signals. J Pers Soc Psychol 93:85–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griskevicius V, Tybur JM, Van den Bergh B (2010) Going green to be seen: status, reputation, and conspicuous conservation. J Pers Soc Psychol 98:392–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagen EH, Hammerstein P (2006) Game theory and human evolution: a critique of some recent interpretations of experimental games. Theor Popul Biol 69:339–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanna MT, Freeman J (1989) Organizational ecology. Harvard University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann P, Apaolaza-Ibáñez V (2010) Beyond savanna: an evolutionary and environmental psychology approach to behavioral effects of nature scenery in green advertising. J Environ Psychol 30:119–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haselton MG, Bryant GA, Wilke A, Frederick DA, Galperin A, Frankenhuis WE, Moore T (2009) Adaptive rationality: an evolutionary perspective on cognitive bias. Soc Cognition 27:732–762

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haselton MG, Mortezaie M, Pillsworth EG, Bleske-Rechek A, Frederick DA (2007) Ovulatory shifts in human female ornamentation: near ovulation, women dress to impress. Horm Behav 51:40–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hassett JM, Siebert ER, Wallen K (2008) Sex differences in rhesus monkey toy preferences parallel those of children. Horm Behav 54:359–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haviland-Jones J, Rosario HH, Wilson P, McGuire TR (2005) An environmental approach to positive emotion: flowers. Evol Psychol 3:104–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayward LS, Rohwer S (2004) Sex differences in attitudes toward paternity testing. Evol Hum Behav 25:242–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henrich J, Boyd R, Bowles S, Camerer C, Fehr E, Gintis H (eds) (2004) Foundations of human sociality: economic experiments and ethnographic evidence from fifteen small-scale societies. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill RA, Donovan S, Koyama NF (2005) Female sexual advertisement reflects resource availability in twentieth-century UK society. Hum Nat 16:266–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinsz VB, Matz DC, Patience RA (2001) Does women’s hair signal reproductive potential? J Exp Soc Psychol 37:166–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hirschman EC (2010) Evolutionary branding. Psychol Mark 27:568–583

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgson GM, Knudsen T (2010) Darwin’s conjecture: the search for general principles of social and economic evolution. University of Chicago Press, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson T (2005) Live better by consuming less? Is there a “double dividend” in sustainable consumption? J Ind Ecol 9:19–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson AM, Vernon PA, McCarthy JM, Molson M, Harris JA, Jang KL (1998) Nature vs nurture: are leaders born or made? A behavior genetic investigation of leadership style. Twin Res 1:216–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jonason PK, Cetrulo JF, Madrid JM, Morrison C (2009) Gift-giving as a courtship or mate-retention tactic?: Insights from non-human models. Evol Psychol 7:89–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones OD, Goldsmith TH (2005) Law and behavioral biology. Columbia Law Rev 105:405–502

    Google Scholar 

  • Joye Y, Willems K, Brengman M, Wolf K (2010) The effects of urban retail greenery on consumer experience: reviewing the evidence from a restorative perspective. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 9:57–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katz SH (1990) An evolutionary theory of cuisine. Hum Nat 1:233–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kellert SR, Heerwagen J, Mador M (eds) (2008) Biophilic design: the theory, science and practice of bringing buildings to life. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenrick DT, Griskevicius V, Sundie JM, Li NP, Li YJ, Neuberg SL (2009) Deep rationality: the evolutionary economics of decision making. Soc Cogn 27:764–785

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kniffin KM (2009) Evolutionary perspectives on salary dispersion within firms. J Bioecon 11:23–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kniffin KM, Wilson DS (2010) Evolutionary perspectives on workplace gossip: why and how gossip can serve groups. Group Organ Manage 35:150–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kock N (2009) Information systems theorizing based on evolutionary psychology: an interdisciplinary review and theory integration framework. MIS Q 33:395–418

    Google Scholar 

  • Koppl R (ed) (2005) Evolutionary psychology and economic theory. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Laland KN, Brown GR (2002) Sense and nonsense: evolutionary perspectives on human behaviour. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Lea SEG, Webley P (2006) Money as a tool, money as drug: the biological psychology of a strong incentive. Behav Brain Sci 29:161–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Lo AW (2005) Reconciling efficient markets with behavioral finance: the adaptive markets hypothesis. J Invest Consult 7:21–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Luxen MF, Van De Vijver FJR (2006) Facial attractiveness, sexual selection, and personnel selection: when evolved preferences matter. J Organ Behav 27:241–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lycett JE, Dunbar RIM (2000) Mobile phones as lekking devices among human males. Hum Nat 11:93–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malamuth NM (1996) Sexually explicit media, gender differences, and evolutionary theory. J Commun 46:8–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marmot M (2004) The status syndrome: how social standing affects our health and longevity. Times Books, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsden P (2002) Brand positioning: meme’s the word. Mark Intell Plann 20:307–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsden PS (1998) Memetics: a new paradigm for understanding customer behaviour and influence. Mark Intell Plann 16:363–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Massey GR (1999) Product evolution: a Darwinian or Lamarckian phenomenon? J Prod Brand Manage 8:301–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCall BP, Cavanaugh MA, Arvey RD, Taubman P (1997) Genetic influences on job and occupational switching. J Vocat Behav 50:60–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDermott R, Fowler JH, Smirnov O (2008) On the evolutionary origin of prospect theory preferences. J Polit 70:335–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mendenhall Z, Nepomuceno M, Saad G (2010a) Exploring video games from an evolutionary psychological perspective. In: Lee I (ed) Encyclopedia of e-business development and management in the global economy. IGI Global, Hershey, pp 734–742

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Mendenhall Z, Saad G, Nepomuceno MV (2010b) Homo virtualensis: evolutionary psychology as a tool for studying videogames. In: Kock N (ed) Evolutionary psychology and information systems research: a new approach to studying the effects of modern technologies on human behavior. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 305–328

    Google Scholar 

  • Mesko N, Bereczkei T (2004) Hairstyle as an adaptive means of displaying phenotypic quality. Hum Nat 15:251–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer-Emerick N (2007) Public administration and the life sciences. Adm Soc 38:689–708

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milinski M, Wedekind C (2001) Evidence for MHC-correlated perfume preferences in humans. Behav Ecol 12:140–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller G (2009) Spent: sex, evolution, and consumer behavior. Viking Adult, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller G, Tybur JM, Jordan BD (2007) Ovulatory cycle effects on tip earnings by lap dancers: economic evidence for human estrus? Evol Hum Behav 28:375–381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moss G, Hamilton C, Neave N (2007) Evolutionary factors in design preferences. J Brand Manage 14:313–323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mueller U, Mazur A (1996) Facial dominance of West Point cadets as a predictor of later military rank. Soc Forces 74:823–850

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mysterud I, Drevon T, Slagsvold T (2006) An evolutionary interpretation of gift-giving behavior in modern Norwegian society. Evol Psychol 4:406–425

    Google Scholar 

  • Nabhan GP (2004) Why some like it hot: food, genes and cultural diversity. Island Press, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • New J, Krasnow MM, Truxaw D, Gaulin SJC (2007) Spatial adaptations for plant foraging: women excel and calories count. Proc R Soc B Biol Sci 274:2679–2684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson N (2000) Executive instinct: managing the human animal in the information age. Crown Business, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson N (2008) Evolutionary psychology and family business: a new synthesis for theory, research, and practice. Fam Bus Rev XXI:103–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicolaou N, Shane S, Cherkas L, Hunkin J, Spector TD (2008) Is the tendency to engage in entrepreneurship genetic? Manage Sci 54:167–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohtsubo Y (2009) Adaptive ingredients against food spoilage in Japanese cuisine. Int J Food Sci Nutr 60:677–687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer A (2000) Co-operation and competition: a Darwinian synthesis of relationship marketing. Eur J Mark 34:687–704

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Payne C, Jaffe K (2005) Self seeks like: many humans choose their dog pets following rules used for assortative mating. J Ethol 23:15–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pech RJ (2003) Memetics and innovation: profit through balanced meme management. Eur J Innov Manage 6:111–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piazza J, Bering JM (2009) Evolutionary cyber-psychology: applying an evolutionary framework to Internet behavior. Comput Hum Behav 25:1258–1269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Platek SM, Keenan JP, Shackelford TK (eds) (2007) Evolutionary cognitive neuroscience. MIT Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Pound N (2002) Male interest in visual cues of sperm competition risk. Evol Hum Behav 23:443–466

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts SC, Little AC, Lyndon A, Roberts J, Havlicek J, Wright RL (2009) Manipulation of body odour alters men’s self-confidence and judgements of their visual attractiveness by women. Int J Cosmet Sci 31:47–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roy MM, Christenfeld NJS (2004) Do dogs resemble their owners? Psychol Sci 15:361–363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rule NO, Ambady N (2008) The face of success: inferences from chief executive officers’ appearance predict company profits. Psychol Sci 19:109–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rule NO, Ambady N (2009) She’s got the look: inferences from female chief executive officers’ faces predict their success. Sex Roles 61:644–652

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Russell R (2009) A sex difference in facial contrast and its exaggeration by cosmetics. Perception 38:1211–1219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad G (2003) Evolution and political marketing. In: Peterson SA, Somit A (eds) Human nature and public policy: an evolutionary approach. Palgrave Macmillan, New York, pp 121–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Saad G (2004) Applying evolutionary psychology in understanding the representation of women in advertisements. Psychol Mark 21:593–612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad G (2006a) Blame our evolved gustatory preferences. Young Consum 7:72–75

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad G (2006b) Applying evolutionary psychology in understanding the Darwinian roots of consumption phenomena. Manage Decis Econ 27:189–201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad G (2007) The evolutionary bases of consumption. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah

    Google Scholar 

  • Saad G (2008a) Advertised waist-to-hip ratios of online female escorts: an evolutionary perspective. Int J e-Collaboration 4:40–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad G (2008b) The collective amnesia of marketing scholars regarding consumers’ biological and evolutionary roots. Market Theory 8:425–448

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad G (2010a) Using the Internet to study human universals. In: Lee I (ed) Encyclopedia of e-business development and management in the global economy. IGI Global, Hershey, pp 719–724

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Saad G (2010b) The Darwinian underpinnings of consumption. In: Maclaran P, Saren M, Stern B, Tadajewski M (eds) The handbook of marketing theory. Sage, London, pp 457–475

    Google Scholar 

  • Saad G (2011a) Songs lyrics as windows to our evolved human nature. In: Andrews A, Carroll J (eds) The evolutionary review: art, science, culture, vol 2. SUNY Press, Albany, pp 127–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Saad G (2011b) The consuming instinct: what juicy burgers, Ferraris, pornography, and gift giving reveal about human nature. Prometheus Books, Amherst

    Google Scholar 

  • Saad G, Eba A, Sejean R (2009) Sex differences when searching for a mate: a process-tracing approach. J Behav Decis Mak 22:171–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad G, Gill T (2000) Applications of evolutionary psychology in marketing. Psychol Market 17:1005–1034

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad G, Gill T (2001) Sex differences in the ultimatum game: an evolutionary psychology perspective. J Bioecon 3:171–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad G, Gill T (2003) An evolutionary psychology perspective on gift giving among young adults. Psychol Market 20:765–784

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad G, Gill T, Nataraajan R (2005) Are laterborns more innovative and non-conforming consumers than firstborns? A Darwinian perspective. J Bus Res 58:902–909

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad G, Peng A (2006) Applying Darwinian principles in designing effective intervention strategies: the case of sun tanning. Psychol Market 23:617–638

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saad G, Stenstrom E (2010) Calories, beauty, and ovulation: the effects of the menstrual cycle on food and appearance-related consumption. Working paper, Concordia University, Canada

    Google Scholar 

  • Saad G, Vongas JG (2009) The effect of conspicuous consumption on men’s testosterone levels. Organ Behav Hum Decis Process 110:80–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salamon SD, Deutsch Y (2006) OCB as a handicap: an evolutionary psychological perspective. J Organ Behav 27:185–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salter F, Grammer K, Rikowski A (2005) Sex differences in negotiating with powerful males: an ethological analysis of approaches to nightclub doormen. Hum Nat 16:306–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samson N, Fink B, Matts PJ (2010) Visible skin condition and perception of human facial appearance. Int J Cosmet Sci 32:167–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sapienza P, Zingales L, Maestripieri D (2009) Gender differences in financial risk aversion and career choices are affected by testosterone. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 106:15268–15273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott SC (1993) Visual attributes related to preference in interior environments. J Inter Des 18:7–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherman PW, Billing J (1999) Darwinian gastronomy: why we use spices. BioScience 49:453–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sherman PW, Hash GA (2001) Why vegetable recipes are not very spicy. Evol Hum Behav 22:147–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoemaker PJ (1996) Hardwired for news: using biological and cultural evolution to explain the surveillance function. J Commun 46:32–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shuler GA, McCord DM (2010) Determinants of male attractiveness: “Hotness” ratings as a function of perceived resources. Am J Psychol Res 6: 10–23. Accessed at http://www.mcneese.edu/ajpr/issues.html on 2 Feb 2010

    Google Scholar 

  • Simonson I, Sela A (2011) On the heritability of consumer decision making: an exploratory approach for studying genetic effects on judgment and choice. J Cons Res 37:951–966

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh D, Randall PK (2007) Beauty is in the eye of the plastic surgeon: waist-hip ratio (WHR) and women’s attractiveness. Pers Individ Differ 43:329–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith EO (1999) High heels and evolution: natural selection, sexual selection and high heels. Psychol Evol Gend 1:245–277

    Google Scholar 

  • Spinella M (2003) Evolutionary mismatch, neural reward circuits, and pathological gambling. Int J Neurosci 113:503–512

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spink A (2010) Information behavior: an evolutionary instinct. Springer, Heidelberg

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Spitz J (1998) Human nature and judicial interpretation of equal employment law. Manage Decis Econ 19:521–535

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner ET, Barchard KA, Meana M, Hadi F, Gray PB (2010) The deal on testosterone responses to poker competition. Curr Psychol 29:45–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stenstrom E, Saad G (2010) The neurocognitive and evolutionary bases of sex differences in website design preferences: recommendations for e-business managers. In: Lee I (ed) Encyclopedia of e-business development and management in the global economy. IGI Global, Hershey, pp 725–733

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Stenstrom E, Stenstrom P, Saad G, Cheikhrouhou S (2008) Online hunting and gathering: an evolutionary perspective on sex differences in website preferences and navigation. IEEE Trans Prof Commun 51:155–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sundie JM, Kenrick DT, Griskevicius V, Tybur JM, Vohs KD, Beal DJ (2010) Peacocks, Porsches, and Thorstein Veblen: conspicuous consumption as a sexual signaling system. J Pers Soc Psychol doi: 10.1037/a0021669

  • Tooby J, Cosmides L (1992) Psychological foundations of culture. In: Barkow JH, Cosmides L, Tooby J (eds) The adapted mind: evolutionary psychology and the generation of culture. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 19–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Townsend JM, Levy GD (1990) Effects of potential partners’ costume and physical attractiveness on sexuality and partner selection. J Psychol 124:371–389

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsui E (1999) Evolutionary architecture: nature as a basis for design. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Uller T, Johansson LC (2003) Human mate choice and the wedding ring effect: are married men more attractive? Hum Nat 14:267–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van den Bergh B, Dewitte S, Warlop L (2008) Bikinis instigate generalized impatience in intertemporal choice. J Consum Res 35:85–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Vugt M (2006) Evolutionary origins of leadership and followership. Pers Soc Psychol Rev 10:354–371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vredenburgh D, Shea-VanFossen R (2010) Human nature, organizational politics, and human resource development. Hum Res Dev Rev 9:26–47

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waksberg AJ, Smith AB, Burd M (2009) Can irrational behaviour maximise fitness? Behav Ecol Sociobiol 63:461–471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallenstein G (2008) The pleasure instinct: why we crave adventure, chocolate, pheromones, and music. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Walsh A (2000) Evolutionary psychology and the origins of justice. Justice Q 17:841–864

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang XT, Dvorak RD (2010) Sweet future: fluctuating blood glucose levels affect future discounting. Psychol Sci 21:183–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wasieleski DM, Hayibor S (2009) Evolutionary psychology and business ethics research. Bus Ethics Q 19:587–616

    Google Scholar 

  • Wedekind C, Escher S, Van de Waal M, Frei E (2007) The major histocompatibility complex and perfumers’ descriptions of human body odors. Evol Psychol 5:330–343

    Google Scholar 

  • White RE, Thornhill S, Hampson E (2006) Entrepreneurs and evolutionary biology: the relationship between testosterone and new venture creation. Organ Behav Hum Decis Process 100:21–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whyte J (2007) Evolutionary theories and design practices. Des Issues 23:46–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson EO (1998) Consilience: the unity of knowledge. Abacus, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson M, Daly M (2004) Do pretty women inspire men to discount the future? Proc R Soc Lond B Suppl 271:S177–S179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Windhager S, Slice DE, Schaefer K, Oberzaucher E, Thorstensen T, Grammer K (2008) Face to face: the perception of automotive designs. Hum Nat 19:331–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wrangham R (2009) Catching fire: how cooking made us human. Basic Books, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Wrangham R, Conklin-Brittain NL (2003) Cooking as a biological trait. Comp Biochem Physiol A 136:35–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zak PJ (2008) The neurobiology of trust. Sci Am June:88–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zak PJ, Stanton AA, Ahmadi S (2007) Oxytocin increases generosity in humans. PLoS ONE 2(11):e1128. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0001128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ziman J (ed) (2000) Technological innovation as an evolutionary process. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Concordia University, John Molson School of Business, De Maisonneuve Blvd. W. 1455, H3G 1M8, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Gad Saad

Authors
  1. Gad Saad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gad Saad .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, De Maisonneuve Blvd. W. 1455, Montreal, H3G 1M8, Québec, Canada

    Gad Saad

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Saad, G. (2011). The Missing Link: The Biological Roots of the Business Sciences. In: Saad, G. (eds) Evolutionary Psychology in the Business Sciences. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-92784-6_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation