MENTAL MODEL · M4879

Wallace Effect

TechnicalHigh supportEvolutionary Biology

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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Natural selection reinforces reproductive isolation. When hybrids between two populations have poor fitness, natural selection favors individuals that can recognize and reject cross-species mating, accelerating divergence until they no longer interbreed.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Evolutionary driver of prejudice. In organizational mergers or cross-boundary collaborations, if early integration attempts are painful (low fitness), both sides quickly develop rejection reactions, not only retreating to their own circles but also building thicker walls (reinforced isolation) to prevent future integration.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

When hybrid offspring have low fitness, natural selection favors individuals that recognize and avoid cross-species mating, so isolation mechanisms (behavioral, morphological, temporal mismatches) are continuously reinforced, accelerating divergence until they no longer interbreed.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

① Identify the 'pain' signals (low output, conflict) of early integration between two groups
② observe whether exclusionary norms or labels appear
③ predict the thickening of isolation walls
④ if integration is needed, first eliminate the sources of early low fitness rather than forcing a merger.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

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Source support: Explicit

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zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%8F%AF%E8%90%8A%E5%A3%AB%E6%95%88%E6%87%89ZH · Explicit
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