Against the Day

A New York Times Notable Book of 2020ABloomberg Best Non-Fiction Book of 2020A Behavioral Scientist Notable Book of 2020A Human Behavior & Evolution Society Must-Read Popular Evolution Book of 2020A bold, epic account of how the co-evolution of psychology and culture created the peculiar Western mind that has profoundly shaped the modern world.In The WEIRDest People in the World, Joseph Henrich draws on cutting-edge research in anthropology, psychology, economics, and evolutionary biology to explore these questions and more. He illuminates the origins and evolution of family structures, marriage, and religion, and the profound impact these cultural transformations had on human psychology. Mapping these shifts through ancient history and late antiquity, Henrich reveals that the most fundamental institutions of kinship and marriage changed dramatically under pressure from the Roman Catholic Church. It was these changes that gave rise to the WEIRD psychology that would coevolve with impersonal markets, occupational specialization, and free competition―laying the foundation for the modern world.Provocative and engaging in both its broad scope and its surprising details, The WEIRDest People in the World explores how culture, institutions, and psychology shape one another, and explains what this means for both our most personal sense of who we are as individuals and also the large-scale social, political, and economic forces that drive human history. ... 'A landmark in social thought. Henrich may go down as the most influential social scientist of the first half of the twenty-first century' MATTHEW SYED Do you identify yourself by your profession or achievements, rather than your family network? Do you cultivate your unique attributes and goals? If so, perhaps you are WEIRD : raised in a society that is Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic. Unlike most who have ever lived, WEIRD people are highly individualistic, nonconformist, analytical and control-oriented. How did WEIRD populations become so psychologically peculiar? What part did these differences play in our history, and what do they mean for our collective identity? Joseph Henrich, who developed the game-changing concept of WEIRD , uses leading-edge research in anthropology, psychology, economics and evolutionary biology to explore how changing family structures, marriage practices and religious beliefs in the Middle Ages shaped the Western mind, laying the foundations for the world we know today. Brilliant, provocative, engaging and surprising, this landmark study will revolutionize your understanding of who - and how - we are now. 'Phenomenal ... The only theory I am aware of that attempts to explain broad patterns of human psychology on a global scale' Washington Post ' You will never look again in the same way at your own seemingly universal values ' Uta Frith, Professor of Cognitive Development, University College London 'phenomenal ... The Only Theory I Am Aware Of That Attempts To Explain Broad Patterns Of Human Psychology On A Global Scale' Coren Apicella, Washington Post Do You Identify Yourself By Your Profession, Rather Than Your Family? Do You Consider Yourself Unique? Do You Have Personal Goals? If So, Perhaps You Are Weird: Raised In A Society That Is Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich And Democratic. Unlike Most Who Have Ever Lived, Weird People Are Highly Individualistic, Self-involved, Control-oriented, Nonconformist And Analytical. They Focus On Themselves - Their Attributes, Accomplishments And Aspirations - Over Their Social Roles. How Did Weird Populations Become So Psychologically Peculiar? What Part Did These Differences Play In The Industrial Revolution And The Expansion Of European Power? And What Do They Mean For Our Sense Of Who We Are Now? Joseph Henrich, Who Developed The Influential Concept Of Weird, Explores The Historical Evolution Of Family Structures, Marriage And Religion, And Draws On Leading-edge Research In Anthropology, Psychology, Economics And Evolutionary Biology To Analyse How These Institutions Shaped The Western Mind. Brilliant, Provocative, Engaging And Surprising, The Weirdest People In The World Will Transform Your Understanding Of How We Behave. 'illuminates A Journey Into Human Nature That Is More Exciting, More Complex And Ultimately More Consequential Than Has Previously Been Suspected' Nature