The social learning and development of intra- and inter-ethnic sharing norms in the Congo Basin.

ABSTRACT: Compared to other species, the extent of human cooperation is unparalleled. Such cooperation is coordinated between community members via social norms. Developmental research has demonstrated that very young children are sensitive to social norms, and that social norms are internalized by middle childhood. Most research on social norm acquisition has focused on norms that modulate intra-group cooperation. Yet around the world, multi-ethnic communities also cooperate, and this cooperation is often shaped by distinct inter-group social norms. In the present study, we investigated whether intra-ethnic and inter-ethnic social norm acquisition follows the same, or distinct, developmental trajectories. Specifically, we worked with BaYaka foragers and Bandongo fisher-farmers who inhabit multi-eth

SUBMITTER: Lew-Levy S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12851454 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature