30 lines
2.2 KiB
Plaintext
30 lines
2.2 KiB
Plaintext
{{Draft|author=MBauwens|date=2026-02-02}}
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'''WEIRD''' is an acronym standing for Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic, used to describe the distinct psychological traits of populations from these societies as identified by evolutionary scientist Joe Henrich.
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== Context ==
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Micha Narberhaus explains:
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<blockquote>
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"Evolutionary scientist Joe Henrich studied the psychology of Europeans and North Americans in comparison with the rest of the world, determining that we are distinct in our traits, which he summarises as 'WEIRD': Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich and Democratic.
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Our uniqueness stems from our distinctive psychology, characterised by high individualism, analytical thinking, impersonal trust in strangers, a focus on personal achievement rather than communal obligations, and a preference for guilt over shame. Henrich traces these traits back to the stringent prohibitions on incest and cousin marriages imposed by the medieval Catholic Church, which dismantled the intensive kinship networks and clans that dominate most societies worldwide. By enforcing marriage outside one's tribe (exogamy) and promoting nuclear families, the Church inadvertently fostered voluntary associations, urban migration, and market-oriented behaviours. This eroded the clan-first loyalty that is prevalent elsewhere, where extended families prioritise in-group ties, nepotism, and conformity.
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This psychological shift enabled Western success through innovations such as impartial institutions, science, democracy and capitalism, driving economic prosperity and global influence. However, it has also resulted in a Western way of life that is marked by isolation, mobility, and meritocracy. This contrasts with the relational security of kin-based societies and could potentially explain both triumphs, such as technological advancement, and challenges, such as social atomisation."
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</blockquote>
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== See Also ==
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* [[Cultural Psychology]]
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* [[Individualism]]
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* [[Western Culture]]
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== Source ==
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* [https://michanarberhaus.substack.com/p/mass-immigration-is-destroying-europes Micha Narberhaus - Substack]
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* Book: ''The WEIRDest People in the World'' by Joseph Henrich
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[[Category:Psychology]]
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[[Category:Culture]]
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[[Category:Sociology]]
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