title: Group-level traits can be studied with standard evolutionary theory.
abstract: Smaldino's target article draws on and seeks to add to a literature that has partially rejected orthodox, gene-centric evolutionary theory. However, orthodox theory has much to say about group-level traits. The target article does not reference or refute these views, and provides no explicit arguments for this narrow approach. In this commentary we: (i) give two examples of topics that the target article might and probably should have discussed (cultural epidemiology and the psychology of individual differences); and (ii) argue that the orthodox approach has much more to say about the emergence of group-level traits than the target article recognises, or gives credit for.
authors: Evolutionary Anthropology Research Group,Durham University,Dawson Building,South Road,Durham DH1 3LE,UK.t.c.scott-phillips@durham.ac.ukhttp://thomscottphillips.wordpress.com.
authors: Thomas C
authors: TC
authors: Scott-Phillips
authors: Department of Psychology,Middlesex University,London NW4 4BT,UK.t.dickins@mdx.ac.ukhttps://dissentwithmodification.com.
authors: Thomas E
authors: TE
authors: Dickins
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003468:Cultural Evolution; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D012641:Selection, Genetic