Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will

by Robert M. Sapolsky

Peer socialization, with different peers modeling different behaviors with varying allure. The importance of peers has often been underappreciated by developmental psychologists but is no surprise to any primatologists. Humans invented a novel way to transmit information across generations, where an adult expert intentionally directs information at young’uns—i.e., a teacher. In contrast, the usual among primates is kids learning by watching their somewhat older peers.[35] Environmental influences. Is the neighborhood park safe? Are there more bookstores or liquor stores? Is it easy to buy healthy food? What’s the crime rate? All the usual. Cultural beliefs and values, which influence these other categories. As we’ll see, culture dramatically influences parenting style, the behaviors modeled by peers, the sorts of physical and social communities that are constructed. Cultural variability in overt and covert rites of passage, the brands of places of worship, whether kids aspire to earn lots of merit badges versus getting skilled at harassing out-group members.