Cultural Transmission and Evolution

The book "Cultural Transmission" by Cavalli-Sforza and Feldman is a groundbreaking work that offers a mathematical theory of non-genetic transmission of cultural traits, providing a framework for understanding the dynamics of culturally acquired phenotypes.

The authors classify and systematize various modes of transmitting culture, exploring their consequences for cultural evolution.

Using quantitative models that incorporate different modes of transmission, they evaluate data from sociology, archaeology, and epidemiology, demonstrating how cultural and natural selection produce varying rates of cultural evolution and diversity within and between groups.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding human evolution and the factors that shape cultural change.