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An Evolutionary Perspective on Toxic Leadership

Author

Listed:
  • Lucia Ovidia VREJA

    (Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania)

  • Sergiu BALAN

    (Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania)

  • Loredana Cornelia BOSCA

    (Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania)

Abstract

Charles Darwin's prediction from 1859, that future psychology was going to be built on principles derived from evolutionary theory came at last to be fulfilled. Nowadays, there are at least four disciplines that attempt to explain human behaviours as evolutionary adaptations (or maladaptations) to the natural and/or social environment: human sociobiology, human behavioural ecology, evolutionary psychology, memetics and gene–culture coevolution theory (in our view, the most adequate of all). According to gene–culture coevolution theory, articulated language was the singular phenomenon that permitted humans to become a cultural species, and from that moment on culture become itself a selection factor. Culture means transmission of information from one generation to the next and learning from other individuals' experiences, trough language. So, it is of critical importance to have good criteria for the selection of those individuals from whom we should learn. Yet when humans also choose their leaders from among those role-models, according to the same criteria, this mechanism can become a maladaptation and the result can be toxic leadership.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucia Ovidia VREJA & Sergiu BALAN & Loredana Cornelia BOSCA, 2016. "An Evolutionary Perspective on Toxic Leadership," Management and Economics Review, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 1(2), pages 217-228, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:rom:merase:v:1:y:2016:i:2:p:217-228
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    File URL: https://mer.ase.ro/files/2016-2/13.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Praningrum, 2024. "A Study of the Effects of Toxic Leadership and Person-Organization Fit on Organizational Commitment and Employee Performance ," GATR Journals jmmr339, Global Academy of Training and Research (GATR) Enterprise.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    human sociobiology; human behavioural ecology; evolutionary psychology; memetics; gene–culture coevolution theory; dominance status; prestige status; toxic leadership;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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