Reduction of fertility as an example of maladaptive behavior?

Abstract

The author reflects Peter j. Richerson's and Robert Boyd's theory on culture as an adaptive system that can also lead to maladaptive behavior, and discusses this theory from the point of view of historical demography and cultural history.

He considers the present day decrease (or, rather, downswing) of fertility to be a prominent example of maladaptive behavior.

Keywords

• human evolution
• evolution of culture
• culture as adaptive system
• cultural maladaptation
• reduction of fertility