PSYCH 217 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Common Chimpanzee, Hominidae
13 Feb 2016
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Document Summary
A quick overview of human evolution and social structure. We are part of a large group of mammals (~400) that are a part of the order primate. Common ancestor at root of order @60-90 million years ago. Our family (hominidae) - split from other primates about 15my. We did not evolve from chimpanzees (pan) We have fairly recent common ancestor which lived approximately 5 mya. There are 2 distinct species of chimpanzees with a common ancestor ~ 1-2 mya. Bonobos and common chimps have some very different social behaviors. Common chimps show much higher levels of aggression. Radically more violent behavior towards stranger chimps. Bonobos use less violent means of conflict management. Sexual behavior a key component of conflict-resolution. Our closest non-living relative is homo neanderthalensis (neanderthals) Neanderthals and biologically modern humans overlapped for about 200k. Small degree of interbreeding with ancestral humans. At one point, probably as few as 5,000 people.
