April 11, 2021 at 11:00 pm by Sean Crommelin
For decades, antiquated research practices enshrined the behavior of undergraduate students, or even just the W.E.I.R.D. â those in countries who are western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic â as the standard of human behavior.Â
A flat tire being replaced in the midst of fieldwork in Mwanza, Tanzania. Courtesy of David Lawson
Nowadays, however, the sun has set on such a mentality.Â
Variation in behavior based on circumstance and setting, as the social sciences now understand, is commonplace and important to take into account. Thus, seeking broader and more diverse samples to better understand human behavior, the social sciences, particularly anthropology and psychology, have sought data from more diverse backgrounds in recent years.Â