Hominid Morphology - Lab Resources
Synopsis
In our "Male-Female Dimorphism in Hominids" lab, students investigate the interplay between physiological and behavioral traits within and between bonobos, chimpanzees, and humans. By measuring 3D skulls and observing their behaviors via videos, students explore linkages between physical and social traits. The lab highlights how species with pronounced sexual dimorphism (chimps) often exhibit male-dominated hierarchies, while humans and bonobos, with less dimorphism, have likely underwent self-domestication—an evolutionary process leading to greater cooperation and reduced aggression. This hands-on investigation illustrates how culture and behavior can indeed influence biological evolution.
