A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Toolmaking Skill Acquisition in Non-Industrial Societies

Cross Cultural Research • Vol/Iss. 60(2) • Sage • • Published In • Pages: 143–182 •
By Liu, Cheng

Abstract

This study examines toolmaking skill acquisition in 170 non-industrial societies, coding ethnographic texts obtained from eHRAF World Cultures, and drawing on cultural evolution theory (CET). The author uses basic questions of what, who, where, when, how, and why to focus on the fundamental aspects of learning. They find that daily utilitarian crafts, particularly related to clothes-making and storage, to be most commonly reported. Furthermore, kin-based transmission is predominant. The findings contrast a CET field emphasis toward prestige and conformist bias, calling for increased research in kin-based transmission bias.

Note

Descriptive study with no explicit hypotheses, so findings are presented as if they were hypotheses.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
eHRAF World CulturesResearchers Own170 non-industrial societies

Hypotheses (8)

HypothesisSupported
Daily utilitarian craft activities (such as basket weaving and clothing making) will be the focus of ethnographers' observations in non-industrial societies.Supported
Perishable materials are most often used in the production of crafts.Supported
Vertical transmission of tool-making skills will be most prominent.Supported
The location of tool-making skill transmission is dependent on the type of craft, crafts with a need for larger spaces and outdoor materials will take place outdoors.Supported
Toolmaking skill acquisition will take place over many stages of life across different age groups.Supported
Interactive learning is the most frequent form of learning skill.Supported
Tool-making skills are most often passed down through kin members.Supported
The missing data across the descriptive analysis of tool-making skill acquisition is not random in its lack of observation. Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: victor.demunck