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Evolutionary Psychology and Business Ethics Research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2015

David M. Wasieleski  and
Sefa Hayibor
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Abstract:

In this article, we describe evolutionary psychology and its potential contribution to business ethics research. After summarizing evolutionary theory and natural selection, we specifically address the use of evolutionary concepts in psychology in order to offer alternative explanations of behavior relevant to business ethics, such as social exchange, cooperation, altruism, and reciprocity. Our position is that individuals, groups, and organizations all are affected by similar natural, evolutionary processes, such that evolutionary psychology is applicable at multiple levels of analysis (e.g., individual and group). We introduce a variety of experiments and instruments employed by evolutionary psychologists to illustrate how ethics-relevant cultural norms and practices evolve and are regulated, and to raise the prospect that these experiments and instruments can be useful in future business ethics research.

Type
Articles
Information
Business Ethics Quarterly , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , October 2009 , pp. 587 - 616
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Business Ethics 2009

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