Fundamental dispositions and traits of humans.
Theories about the nature of humankind form a part of every culture. In the West, debate has traditionally centred on whether humans are selfish and competitive (see John Locke ) or social and altruistic ( Karl Marx , Émile Durkheim ). Recent research in genetics, evolutionary biology, and cultural anthropology suggests that humans may be both, and that there is a complex interaction between genetically inherited factors ("nature") and developmental and social factors ("nurture"). Basic drives shared with other primate s include food, sex, security, play, and social status . Gender differences include greater investment in reproduction and child-rearing among females, hence less risk-taking; and concomitantly less investment and greater risk-taking among males. See also {{link=behaviour genetics">behaviour genetics ; Homo sapiens ; personality ; philosophical anthropology ; sociobiology .