The following table shows a list of traits typical for hunter-gatherer vs. farmer minds. All of them have been found to have a genetic component. Of course, also mixed traits occur and culture and an individual’s life trajectory might override genetic tendencies.







hunter-gatherer farmer High on personality trait “openness”, low on “conscientiousness” High on personality trait “conscientiousness”, low on “openness” Strongly (actively) egalitarian status-seeking Tendency towards out-group sociality, more accepting of diversity (e.g. different sexuality, refugees, etc.) Tendency towards in-group sociality (identifies more strongly with a core group, like family, religious group or sports team) More liberal ideology More conservative ideology Less sexual dimorphism More (display of) sexual dimorphism Later onset of puberty Earlier onset of puberty More monogamous tendencies Less monogamous tendencies Tendency to wanting fewer children Tendency to wanting more children Relaxed child-rearing attitude Authoritative child rearing, “helicopter parenting” Night owls Early risers “Lazier” (when it comes to physical work and chores) More hard-working highly rebellious when feeling personal freedom and values are threatened individualistic, but also more conformist and highly loyal to their core group Less interest in small-talk and gossip Higher interest in small-talk and gossip









There is a third group of personality type: pastoralists, who have mixed traits and the earliest onset of puberty. The three groups show an r/K-selection range. They are also distinguishable by facial features.





Hunter-gatherers : rectangular face shape for hunters, heart-shaped face for gatherers (male and female patterns are often reversed in modern hunter-gatherer personalities, i.e. females can have rectangular facial shape and males the heart-shaped form. They, therefore, tend to pair in all possible varieties: hunter-gatherer, hunter-hunter and gatherer-gatherer.







San hunter (rectangular face) and gatherer (heart-shaped face)

Richard Dawkins (hunter) and Lala Ward (gatherer) paring, two soulmates





Pastoralists have oval-shaped faces.





Datoga and Maasai pastoralists: oval faces.





Paul and Linda McCartney: oval faces, artistic personality types (ISFPs), two playmates, a turbulent but successful marriage.





Farmer types tend to be more serious and hard-working. They have typically square or round faces:





African farmers with square/round faces

Geroge W. and Laura Bush, square/round farmer faces