SMU Associate Professor of Psychology Norman Li commented on how the living environment can affect one’s life satisfaction by applying evolutionary psychology. Associate Prof Li said that in ancient times, living with others who looked, spoke and behaved differently from oneself usually meant that one was captured or abducted by a neighbouring group; or living without the assistance and cooperation of one’s genetic kin and allies. He added that despite living in today’s multi-ethnic societies, which are completely safe, our brains may nonetheless experience such situations as threats; thus lowering one’s life satisfaction.