Cross-sex patterns of kin behavior: a comment

Behavior Science Research • Vol/Iss. 9 • Published In • Pages: 185-202 •
By Goody, Jack, Buckley, Joan

Abstract

This paper examines the behavior between close kin and affines of the opposite sex. The authors "point to certain differences between continental areas that are related to specific social factors, including the structure of descent groups and the nature of marriage arrangements."

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)

Hypotheses (4)

HypothesisSupported
"In cross-cousin relationship . . . joking is the most frequent mode of behavior. . . . Avoidance and respect are almost exclusively associated with prohibition on marriage and license is associated only with permitted marriage. . . . Joking behavior is found with both forms" (199, 201)Supported
"Differences in the brother-sister relationship [avoidance-respect-joking] show a distribution linked with descent. Patrilineal societies show considerably more informality in their cross-sex sibling relations than do either matrilineal or bilateral societies" (193)Supported
"With regard to the relationship between a woman and her husband's father, the matrilineal systems show the greatest degree of informality (and least avoidance), while patrilineal are the least informal" (193)Supported
"As far as the mother-in-law is concerned, matrilineal societies are most formal and bilateral least" (193)Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas  Megan Farrer