Human Variability and Plasticity

Plasticity refers to the ability of many organisms to change their biology or behavior to respond to changes in the environment. Humans are probably the most plastic of all species, and hence the most variable. This is the first book to examine the history of research in this area and it provides information on state-of-the-art research methods and discoveries. It also maps out some areas of future research in human plasticity and variability. Topics discussed include child growth, starvation, diseases of both young and old, and the effects of migration, modernization and other life-style changes. The book will be especially useful to biological anthropologists, human biologists and medical scientists interested in knowing more about how and why humans vary.

Plasticity refers to the ability of many animals to alter their biology on response to changes in their environment. Humans are perhaps the most plastic of all species, and hence the most variable. This cook covers topics such as child growth, starvation, disease and the effects of migration, modernisation and other life style changes on human variability. It will be especially useful to students and researchers in biological anthropology and human biology interested in expanding their knowledge of this fascinating area.