Cultural Niche Construction

Cultural niche construction refers to the way humans actively shape their environment and way of life through shared beliefs, practices, and technologies. Unlike natural evolution, where only biological changes occur, cultural niche construction involves modifying surroundings and behaviors to suit our needs—like agriculture, building cities, or creating social norms. These cultural changes influence not only our immediate environment but also affect future generations’ development, creating a dynamic feedback loop. In essence, humans don't just adapt to their environment—they also modify and reshape it through cultural innovations, which in turn influence our biological and social evolution.