Beyond Biology

Your culture affects your body and your choices in profound and unexpected ways.

Culture affects us in ways that are sometimes obvious, like our language and food, but are sometimes not readily apparent, like the shape of our feet and eyes, whom we find attractive, and even our DNA. Did you know that culture can explain why there are differing rates of multiple sclerosis around the world? Or why Mandarin speakers tend to have higher rates of perfect pitch? Or why Italians avoid milk in their coffee after their morning cup?

Drawing from the latest research in cultural psychology, Beyond Biology is a compelling introduction to how culture shapes our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Jason Martens’s insights reveal how biology and culture interact and what it means to be a cultural species.