For public policies, our evolved psychology is the problem and the solution

Abstract

For the authors, evolutionary approaches should rely less on evolutionary psychology, which studies innate fixed capacities, and more on cultural selection, which emphasizes cultural learning and symbolic innovation. However, successful policies do not seem to culturally reengineer people. Rather, they work by tapping into old human instincts (fairness preference, reputation management, resource seeking) to motivate individuals to change their behaviors.