Mind Your Mind

None of this prevents us from seeking to understand the evolution of social and moral intuitions, nor the dynamics of populations and networks which turn individual psychology into large-scale societal and historical phenomena. It's just that the notion of "group selection" is far more likely to confuse than to enlighten—especially as we try to understand the ideas and institutions that human cognition has devised to make up for the shortcomings of our evolved adaptations to group living.

This is a brilliant, complex essay from a great mind.  I think that he's right, our individual genetic processes aren't mirrored in group dynamics.  I don, however, think that individual neuro-psychology combined with environment factors change the way we respond to the group and as a group.

I focus on a divide in function between two parts of the brain - the limbic system, older, more reactive and the neocortex, housing latteral thought and executive function.  The neurotransmitter dopamine, which plays a significant role in pro-frontal activity, also induces pro-social behaviour and traits associated with mania, religious and otherwise. 

Internally, we have reactive areas of our brain and proactive areas.  In ideal circumstances, these halves work as a system.  Of course, our system is not ideal, nor the balance perfect (or understood) in broader communities.  The limbic, reactive, survival-of-the-fittest section leads to certain, selfish-behaviours; engagement of the pre-frontal does makes us more pro-social and able to plan.  When it comes to internally-induced behaviours, we can lek for our own interest, participate in the herd or not for our own interest or innovate and lead for our own interest.  It's possible to be all about you but still be motivated to do public good.