Biocultural Evolution

Biocultural evolution refers to the interconnected development of humans’ biological traits and cultural practices over time. It recognizes that biology and culture influence each other; for example, genetic adaptations like lactose tolerance evolved alongside the cultural practice of dairy farming. As humans create tools, languages, and social systems, these cultural behaviors can affect our biology, and vice versa. This dynamic process helps explain how humans have adapted to diverse environments and developed complex societies while biological changes have occurred in response to cultural innovations.