Biography
Lawrence S. Sugiyama (B.A. Psychology 1985, M.A. Anthropology 1991, Ph.D. Anthropology 1996, UC-Santa Barbara), Associate Professor of Anthropology, and Cognitive and Decision Sciences, University of Oregon.
I am an evolutionary psychologist, human behavioral ecologist, and cultural anthropologist whose work lies at the intersection of cultural and physical anthropology, evolutionary biology, and cognitive psychology. In general, my research addresses questions about the nature and evolution of the human mind and the effects of this evolution on behavior, health and culture. My current research projects include: 1) The Shuar Health and Life History Project, 2)The Human Universals Project, Cross-cultural Research on Human Cognitive and Emotional Adaptations, Ecuadorian Oriente Research Station, 3) Evolution of Adaptations for Attractiveness Assessment, 4) The Evolution of Narrative Competency and Theory of Mind
Since 1993, I have conducted fieldwork among Shiwiar, Achuar, Shuar and Zaparo forager-horticulturalist groups of Ecuadorian Amazonia. Previously I worked with the Yora of Peru and the Yanomamö of Venezuela. I am Director of the U.O. Anthropology Department Evolution, Ecology and Adaptation Lab, Research Director for the Shuar Life History Project, Co-director (with Josh Snodgrass) of the Shuar Health Project, and Co-Director (with Clark Barrett) of Field Research for the Human Universals Project at the Center for Evolutionary Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I am also a faculty member in the U.O. Institute of Cognitive and Decision Sciences (ICDS) where I have served on both the Executive and Speakers Committees.
My work on cooperation, social exchange, apparent altruism, health risk, life history, and evolution of attractiveness assessment have appeared in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Human Nature, Evolution and Human Behavior, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Research in Economic Anthropology and the Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology. For more on my research findings, click on the Research links above, or the Center for Evolutionary Psychology, and Institute for Cognitive and Decision Sciences links.
Prospective graduate students interested in field research who have strong quantitative skills and a background in behavioral ecology/ecological anthropology, bio-anthropology, evolutionary psychology, or biology are encouraged to contact me directly.
