Developmental and cultural factors in economic beliefs

Behav Brain Sci. 2018 Jan:41:e182. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X18000481.

Abstract

Boyer & Petersen (B&P) assume that the intuitive systems underlying folk-economic beliefs (FEBs), and, in particular, emporiophobia, evolved in the environment of evolutionary adaptedness (EEA), before markets. This makes the historical development of markets puzzling. We suggest that what evolved in the EEA are templates that help children develop intuitive systems partly adjusted to their cultural environment. This helps resolve the puzzle.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Biological Evolution*
  • Child
  • Cognition*
  • Humans