Explore the cutting-edge advancements in causal inference methods for observational data in this illuminating 1-hour lecture from Cambridge University Press. Delve into the challenges of identifying mechanisms like social influence, even with experimental data, and understand their significance in the evolutionary human sciences. Discover how these methods can revolutionize the study of cultural evolution and human behavior, especially in areas where experiments are not feasible. Gain insights into the importance of causal inference techniques for addressing fundamental questions in the field, and learn how researchers are overcoming limitations to draw strong conclusions from observational data.