Human Variability and Plasticity: 15 (Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology, Series Number 15) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521453992 ISBN 13: 9780521453998

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1995

Synopsis

Plasticity refers to the ability of many organisms to change their biology or behaviour to respond to changes in the environment, particularly when these are stressful. Humans are, perhaps, the most plastic of all species, and hence the most variable. This book reflects on the history of research in this area, state-of-the-art research methods and discoveries and needs for future research in human plasticity and variability. Topics discussed include child growth, starvation, disease of both young and old and the effects of migration, modernisation and other life-style changes. The book will be especially useful to biological anthropologists, human biologists and medical scientists interested in knowing more about how and why humans vary.

About this title

Book Description

Most animals are capable of altering their biology or behaviour to respond plastically to changes in their environment. Humans are perhaps the most plastic of all species, and this book examines how human variability is affected by such factors as starvation, disease, child growth and migration.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521453992
• ISBN 13: 9780521453998
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256
• Editor: Mascie-Taylor C. G. Nicholas, Bogin Barry