I think where low decoupling really does work better is not at the individual level but in maintaining group cohesion. If you think that the invading tribe are weak, stupid, ugly, greedy cowards you're much less likely to run away from a battle than if you think that they are greedy but have some good points and are probably quite resilient and brave if they came all the way here to invade us.
May also be a safeguard against humans being too-clever-by-half - people who thought "snakes are gross and evil, avoid them" probably on average left more offspring than those who thought "actually snakes are venomous but not poisonous, so if you're in a pitch you can eat one", even if the latter is technically more correct.
I think where low decoupling really does work better is not at the individual level but in maintaining group cohesion. If you think that the invading tribe are weak, stupid, ugly, greedy cowards you're much less likely to run away from a battle than if you think that they are greedy but have some good points and are probably quite resilient and brave if they came all the way here to invade us.
May also be a safeguard against humans being too-clever-by-half - people who thought "snakes are gross and evil, avoid them" probably on average left more offspring than those who thought "actually snakes are venomous but not poisonous, so if you're in a pitch you can eat one", even if the latter is technically more correct.