Cultural Genetics & TransGenetic Adaptive Behavior
Psychosocial Stress and Behavior: Integration of
Behavioral and Physiological Processes (R01)
Cultural Genetic Theory

Cultural Genetic Theory is best described as the study of the
impact of social, physical and emotional environment on
successive generations of a population.  Patterns of behavior
passed from generation to generation or Trans-Genetic
Adaptive Behaviors are developed in one generation to
increase survivability.  

In a natural environment, lessons learned in one generation
could indeed prove useful in subsequent generations.  
However, artificial environments, institutions and other external
forces challenge the evolved cultural norm and cause adaptive
behavior triggered by prolonged catastrophic (stressful) events.
 Trans-Genetic Adaptive behaviors are then, by extension,
responsible for population events like health disparities, social
inequalities and aberrant behavioral patterns within populations,
creating an optimum environment for social injustice and
systemic discrimination.
Principle Investigator:

Ellsworth A. James

Senior Personnel

Robert Akoko
Peter Igwacho
Scott Lindquist

Administration

Gwen Shepherd
Paulette Law

Consultants

Hugh B. Starks
Andrew B. James
Andrea J. James-Velox