Introduction to Culture and Biology Interplay

Research on culture and biology interplay has the potential to transform our understanding of the role of nature and nurture in shaping evolution, adaptation, and development. However, several obstacles prevent a meaningful integration of culture and biology in behavioral sciences, including skepticism towards reductionist and deterministic use of biological methods, the historical use of biological arguments to justify social and racial hierarchies, and the disconnection between research fields. In order to overcome these obstacles and their consequences, in this chapter we define the core features of culture and biology interplay, provide an overview of its history, and examine different types, levels, and domains of research in culture and biology interplay. We close by presenting some conclusions and future directions.