In the following article, we forward the coalitional value theory (CVT) and apply it to several puzzles about human behavior. The CVT contends that humans evolved unique mental mechanisms for assessing each other’s marginal value to a coalition (i.e., each other’s coalitional value). They defer to those with higher coalitional value, and they assert themselves over those with lower. We discuss how this mechanism likely evolved. We note that it helps explains how human groups can expand into large, complicated, and specialized coalitions (chiefdoms and even nation states). And we combine this with strong evidence that suggests that status striving is a fundamental human motive to explain partially (1) anti-gay bias, (2) cultural signaling, (3) cultural conceptions of god, and (4) ideological conflict.

中文翻译：

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联盟价值理论：一种理解文化的进化方法

在下面的文章中，我们提出了联盟价值理论（CVT），并将其应用于有关人类行为的若干难题。CVT认为，人类进化出独特的心理机制来评估彼此对联盟的边际价值（即彼此的联盟价值）。他们屈从于那些拥有较高联盟价值的人，并且宣称自己高于那些拥有较低联盟价值的人。我们讨论了这种机制可能如何演变。我们注意到，它有助于解释人类群体如何扩展为庞大，复杂和专业的联盟（酋长国甚至民族国家）。并且我们将其与有力的证据相结合，表明地位争夺是人类的基本动机，可以部分地解释（1）反同性恋倾向，（2）文化信号，（3）神的文化观念和（4）意识形态冲突。