Human Population Biology: A Transdisciplinary Science

by Michael A. Little, Jere D. Haas

Overview

This book is a careful integration of the social and biological sciences, drawing on anthropology, biology, human ecology and medicine to provide a comprehensive understanding of how our species adapts to natural and man-made environments. Part I presents techniques to adapt and apply demographic methods to small populations, particularly important for studying non-Western populations. Part II discusses the relationship of medical genetics to human adaptability and patterns of disease in non-Western populations. Part III covers capacity, climatic stress, and nutrition. Part IV presents methods for growth assessment and prediction and addresses the topic of aging. The final section, Part V, presents integrated case studies of human adaptation to high altitude, and patterns of modernization and stress resulting from cultural change.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195050165
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/18/1989
Series:	Research Monographs on Human Population Biology
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.44(w) x 9.56(h) x 1.09(d)

About the Author

State University of New York at Binghamton

Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Table of Contents

Introduction: Human Population Biology and the Concept of Transdisciplinarity, M. A. Little and J. D. HaasPART I: Demography and Population1. Demography and Human Population Biology: Problems and Progress, P. W. Leslie and T. B. Gage2 Demographic Studies and Human Population Biology, T. B. Gage et al.PART II: Genetics, Epidemiology, and Clinical Medicine3. Human Adaptability and Medical Genetics, C. Hoff, R. M. Garruto and N. Durham4 Natural Experimental Models in Human Biology, Epidemiology and Clinical Medicine, R. M. Garruto et al.PART III: Physiology and the Environment5. An Anthropological Perspective on the Study of Work Capacity, C. A. Weitz6. Climatic Physiology, J. M. Hanna, M. A. Little, and D. M. Austin7. Nutrition and Human Population Biology, J. D. Haas and D. L. PelletierPART IV: The Life Cycle8. New Perspectives and Directions in Human Biology and Growth, I. G. Pawson, C. C. Ballew, and J. R. Bindon9. The Human Population Biology of Aging, C. M. Beall and C. A. WeitzPART V: Transdisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Human Population Biology10. Developmental Responses in the Acquisition of Functional Adaptation to High Altitude, A. R. Frisancho and L. P. Greksa11. Development of Chest Size and Lung Function at High Altitude, L. P. Greksa and C. M. Beall12. High-Altitude Hematology: Paradigm or Enigma?, C. C. Ballew, R. M. Garruto, and J. D. Haas13 Modernization and Adiposity: Causes and Consequences, S. T. McGarvey et al.14. Catecholamines and Stress, G. D. James, D. E. Crews and J. Pearson15. Reflections on Adaptive and Ecological Models, R. B. Thomas, T. B. Gage and M. A. Little

Editorial Reviews

"A thoroughly professional book, not necessarily easy reading because of the breadth of technical materials covered, but deserves study by any anthropologist interested in the biological process in contemporary human populations; it will also be mined for ideas by a much wider audience of human biologists." —The Quarterly Review of Biology

"Characterized by a unity in outlook and approach rarely, if ever, found in multi-authored volume. . . .Interesting and well-written." —Population Studies

"The breadth of coverage of the chapters, the chapter bibliographies, and the emphasis on directions for future research make this volume a necessary addition to the bookshelf of any anthropologist or nonanthropologist interested in biocultural aspects of our own species. In addition, I think it will find a niche in upper-level courses or seminars dealing with the subject of human adaptation, whether they are taught in anthropology, physiology, nutrition, ecology, demography, or medical science departments. . . .Stands as a testament to Baker's vision and his teaching." —American Journal of Human Biology

From the Publisher