Cultural Learning Among Pastoralist Children

Cross-Cultural Research • Vol/Iss. 57(1) • Sage Journals • • Published In • Pages: 74-110 •
By Bira, Temechegn G., Hewlett, Barry S.

Abstract

This paper examines patterns of cultural learning in pastoralist societies and compares them to those found in hunter-gatherer societies. The study analyzed 198 texts from 13 pastoralist cultures in the eHRAF World Cultures database and found that most cultural skills and knowledge were acquired in early childhood, with parents and non-parental adults as the primary sources of transmission. Teaching was the most common form of learning across all age groups, with minimal variation in transmission between different age groups. While similarities were found between the cultural learning patterns of pastoralists and hunter-gatherers, pastoralists were less likely to mention learning from peers and more likely to mention learning via local enhancement and stimulus enhancement. The importance of teaching did not increase with age in pastoralist societies, unlike in hunter-gatherer societies.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
eHRAF World CulturesResearchers' ownCoded 151 paragraphs from 13 societies for the domains of teaching, modes of transmission, and processes of cultural learning

Hypotheses (11)

HypothesisSupported
Vertical transmission is the dominant mode of learning among pastoralists.Not supported
Modes of transmission will vary by age among pastoralists.Not supported
Teaching is the most common process of cultural transmission amongst pastoralists.Supported
Observation and imitation are the most common processes of cultural learning among pastoralists.Not supported
Vertical and oblique transmission are the most common forms of transmission amongst both pastoralists and hunter-gatherers.Supported
Concerted transmission is more common in pastoralists than hunter-gatherers.Not supported
Prestige-bias is more common in pastoralists than in hunter-gatherers.Not supported
Observation and imitation will be more common among hunter-gatherers than pastoralists.Supported
Teaching is more common amongst pastoralists than hunter-gatherers.Not supported
The importance of teaching would increase with age in both pastoralists and hunter-gatherers.Partially Supported
Stimulus enhancement is a more frequent form of teaching amongst pastoralists than hunter-gatherers.Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: jacob.kalodner