Evolutionary Cognitive Science as a Resource for Explaining Ethnic Phenomena ‘After the Cognitive Turn’

Abstract

The article provides an overview of the current state of research in a field that can be defined as «evolutionary cognitive science» Positioned at the intersection of cognitive science, contemporary evolutionary theory, and developmental psychology, researchers in this field have long endeavored to identify universal cognitive biases that underlie the production of ethnic phenomena. However, in the most recent iteration, such universality primarily lies in humans’ capacity to navigate complex social relationships through indirect cues, with specific traits and responses being derivative of socialization. These findings are situated within the context of contemporary constructivist approaches to ethnic studies, wherein a «cognitive turn» is occurring, according to which ethnicity is a classificatory phenomenon, demonstrating how the incorporation of insights from the field of evolutionary cognitive science can contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of ethnicity as a whole.