Explaining marriage patterns in a globally representative sample through socio-ecology and population history: A Bayesian phylogenetic analysis using a new supertree

Evolution and Human Behavior • Vol/Iss. 40 • Elsevier • • Published In • Pages: 176-187 •
By Minocher, Riana, Duda, Pavel, Jaeggi, Adrian V.

Abstract

Researchers examine marriage patterns of 186 societies from the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample (SCCS). The eleven predictor variables are pathogen stress, arranged female marriages, population density, father roles during infancy, temperature, social stratification, wealth inequality, internal warfare, assault frequency, female agricultural contribution, and sex ratio. The two outcome variables measuring polygyny are cultural rules constraining polygyny and the percentage of married men who are polygynous. Controlling on phylogeny using a global supertree of the languages, analysis of marriage patterns reveals that assault frequency and pathogen stress are the strongest predictors of polygyny. These findings offer additional support for the theories of harem-defense polygyny and male genetic quality.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)Previously Coded

Hypotheses (23)

HypothesisSupported
There is a covariance between the two outcome variables for polygyny, cultural rules constraining polygyny and percentage of married men who are polygynous.Supported
Pathogen stress will predict the percent of married men who are polygynous.Supported
Arranged female marriages will predict the percent of married men who are polygynous.Not Supported
Population density will predict the percent of married men who are polygynous.Not Supported
A father's role during infancy will predict the percent of married men who are polygynous.Not Supported
Temperature will predict the percent of married men who are polygynous.Not Supported
Social stratification will predict the percent of married men who are polygynous.Not Supported
Wealth inequality will predict the percent of married men who are polygynous.Not Supported
Internal warfare will predict the percent of married men who are polygynous.Not Supported
Assault frequency will predict the percent of married men who are polygynous.Supported
Female contribution to agriculture will predict the percent of married men who are polygynous.Supported
Sex ratio will predict the percent of married men who are polygynous.Not Supported
Pathogen stress will predict cultural rules restraining polygyny.Supported
Arranged female marriages will predict cultural rules constraining polygyny.Not Supported
Population density will predict cultural rules constraining polygyny.Not Supported
A father's role during infancy will predict cultural rules constraining polygyny.Not Supported
Temperature will predict cultural rules constraining polygyny.Not Supported
Social stratification will predict cultural rules constraining polygyny.Not Supported
Wealth inequality will predict cultural rules constraining polygyny.Supported
Internal warfare will predict cultural rules constraining polygyny.Not Supported
Assault frequency will predict cultural rules constraining polygyny.Supported
Female contribution to agriculture will predict cultural rules constraining polygyny.Not Supported
Sex ratio will predict cultural rules constraining polygyny.Not Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: milagro.escobar  anj.droe