When I look back, I realize just how central the human ability to socialize is to our lives. Today, the foundations of the relationships we build at work, in social settings, or even on social media trace back hundreds of thousands of years, all the way to our hunter-gatherer ancestors.
They would gather around a fire, feeling unsafe when they drifted away from it. Being around the fire meant being together, and being together meant survival.
Socializing wasn’t just a fun activity—it became one of the most important skills for ensuring our survival. Many of the emotions we experience today in our relationships at work or with friends are rooted in these primitive yet powerful origins.
So, if you ever find yourself wondering, “Why do I feel this way?” you might just be living the legacy of our ancestors. Let's dive into this and explore socialization, irrationality, and behavioral science together.
Gathering Around the Fire: Socialization as a Survival Instinct
They would gather around the fire, feeling safe from dangers. Being by the fire meant being together, and being together meant survival.
Even today, we carry this instinct. When we gather with friends, collaborate as a team at work, or share a post on social media, our brains are still responding to the “reward” of social bonding.
This mirrors the bond our ancestors relied on for survival. Social relationships make us happy because our brains have evolved to respond positively to socializing. Just as gathering around the fire brought a sense of safety, being part of a group, community, or social circle today continues to influence us in similar ways.
Why Do We Still Make Irrational Decisions?
Today, we have smartphones, data analysis tools, and access to limitless information. So why do we still make completely illogical decisions at times? This is where Behavioral Scientist Dr. Dan Ariely comes in.
According to Ariely, we humans are actually “predictably irrational” beings. In other words, we often make irrational decisions, but these decisions follow a certain pattern and have their own logic.
Think about it—our ancestors had to make quick, instinctive decisions every day to survive. Whether it was escaping danger, finding food, or reacting to a threat, these decisions were emotional and swift. This kind of instinctive decision-making still operates deep within our brains today.
Even in modern settings like grocery shopping or making decisions during a work meeting, we might still be influenced by these primal instincts. So, when you question a decision you’ve made by asking, “Why did I do that?” it could very well be your ancestral instincts at play.
Socialization: Still Our Brain's Greatest Reward
Humans have always enjoyed being part of a community. Robin Dunbar's theory suggests that our brain's capacity for socialization stems from our need to belong to a tribe.
In the past, these bonds were crucial for physical safety and survival, but today, these social connections continue to shape our brain chemistry and happiness.
The satisfaction you feel when you grab coffee with friends or successfully complete a project at work is actually linked to the release of serotonin and oxytocin—our brain's “happiness” hormones. Our brains are still wired to reward social bonds.
Being a Modern Hunter-Gatherer: The Evolution of Social Media
You could say that social media is a modern interpretation of these instincts. Gathering likes or posting content on social media might just be a modern form of “hunting.” Maybe...
Receiving approval, being part of a group, and becoming “visible” on social media shows that our brains are still wired for social rewards. Likes, comments, and shares create a sense of fulfillment, much like the satisfaction our ancestors felt when they successfully hunted for food.
So, it’s no surprise that getting likes on a post makes us so happy!
Irrational Decisions Today: The Legacy of Primal Instincts
Our irrationality may actually be a survival trait. These behaviors, inherited from our ancestors, helped us make quick decisions without overthinking, ultimately aiding in our survival.
Today, this “fast decision-making” mechanism can sometimes lead us to make choices that seem illogical, whether in the workplace or in our personal lives. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing!
Richard Thaler's “nudge” theory supports the idea that while we can’t force people to make entirely rational decisions, we can steer them in the right direction with small nudges. So, our irrationality, when managed correctly, can even become an advantage.
Surviving as Social and Irrational Beings
From the days when our ancestors gathered around the fire to the present day, social bonds and irrational decisions have been a constant part of our lives. While our irrationality pushes us to make quick and effective decisions, our ability to socialize has been the key to success in both our professional and personal lives.
Today, understanding and integrating these two fundamental instincts into our lives can make us stronger individuals.
So, when you make decisions in your daily life, are you guided by reason, or are you following your ancestral instincts? :)
GET IN TOUCH
info@corpeq.net