The Big Idea
Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) people are more individualistic, analytical, and guilt-driven than much of humanity. Henrich argues that this psychological shift emerged in part because the Church's prohibitions on cousin marriage weakened intensive kin-based societies, pushing people toward voluntary associations and more impersonal markets. Over time, this transformation helped foster the conditions for representative government, widespread literacy, and the distinctive development of the West.
