Behavior Quote by Lionel Tiger
“[Pleasure is what suggested] which behaviors, emotions, social patterns and patterns of taste served us well during our evolutionary history. They were experienced as pleasures and encoded into our formative genetic codes . . . deep in the past, from about 100,000 years ago and beyond.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The World of the Animal Mind by Lionel Tiger, 1977
Our ancestors evolved to find certain behaviors and social patterns pleasurable because they increased survival and reproductive success.
In simple terms: Evolution shaped our pleasures to favor survival behaviors.
Recognize that some pleasures are rooted in ancient survival needs.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- diet choices
- social bonding
- risk assessment
- modern addiction
- relationship building
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do ancient pleasures influence your current choices?
- Can you redesign habits to align with today’s values?
Pleasures may be misaligned with modern contexts, leading to harmful habits.