Naming and identity: a cross-cultural study of personal naming practices
HRAF Press • New Haven • Published In • Pages: ??•
By Alford, Richard
Hypothesis
Naming institutions which confer social legitimacy will be positively associated with societal size, complexity, and use of unilineal descent (32).
Note
Most significant correlations occurred with complexity of military organization (Tau = 0.44, p < 0.01) and presence of totemism (Tau = 0.48, p < 0.01). At p < 0.05 level, the variables elaborate birth ceremonies, naming signifies parenthood, name taboo (spouse), judicial authority, cannibalism, religious organization, and population are positively associated, while belief in spirits with limited control and bilateral descent are negatively associated.
Test Name | Support | Significance | Coefficient | Tail |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kendall's Tau | Supported | p < 0.05 | UNKNOWN | UNKNOWN |
Variable Name | Variable Type | OCM Term(s) |
---|---|---|
Bilateral Descent | Dependent | Rule Of Descent |
Cannibalism | Dependent | Cannibalism |
Elaborate Birth Ceremony | Dependent | Childbirth |
Judicial Authority | Dependent | Judicial Authority |
Military Organization | Dependent | Military Organization |
Population | Dependent | Population |
Totemism | Dependent | Sacred Objects And Places, Theological Systems |
Religious Organization | Dependent | Theological Systems, Priesthood |
Naming Signifies Social Legitimacy | Independent | Naming, Personal Names |
Belief in Spirits with Limited Control | Dependent | Spirits And Gods |
Naming Signifies Parenthood | Dependent | Age Stratification, Naming, Personal Names |
Name Taboo (Spouse) | Dependent | Personal Names |