Patterns of charaterization in folktales across geographical regions and levels of cultural complexity: literature as a neglected source of quantitative data

Human Nature • Vol/Iss. 14 • Published In 2003 • Pages: 365-382 •

By Gottschall, Jonathan, Berkey, Rachel, Cawson, Mitchell, Drown, Carly, Fleischner, Matthew, Glotzbecker, Melissa, Kernan, Kimberly, Magnan, Tyler, Muse, Kate, Ogburn, Celeste, Patterson, Stephen, Skeels, Christopher, St. Joseph, Stephanie, Weeks, Shawna, Welsh, Alison, Welch, Erin

Abstract

This article takes an evolutionary approach to understanding the patterns of characterization in folktales cross-culturally. Results indicate that literature shares several common themes cross-culturally, including mate selection and kin directed altruism.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
Other	Researchers Own

Hypotheses (3)
Hypothesis	Supported
In folktales, males will place a higher emphasis on the physical attractiveness of potential mates and females will place a greater emphasis on a potential mate's capacity to gain and hold social and material resources (370).	Supported
Male protagonists are likely to be more active, courageous, and physically heroic than female protagonists (372).	Supported
Both male and female protagonists will be altruistic towards their kin (375).	Supported

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings Megan Farrer

Patterns of charaterization in folktales across geographical regions and levels of cultural complexity: literature as a neglected source of quantitative data

Human Nature • Vol/Iss. 14 • Published In 2003 • Pages: 365-382 • Cite

By Gottschall, Jonathan, Berkey, Rachel, Cawson, Mitchell, Drown, Carly, Fleischner, Matthew, Glotzbecker, Melissa, Kernan, Kimberly, Magnan, Tyler, Muse, Kate, Ogburn, Celeste, Patterson, Stephen, Skeels, Christopher, St. Joseph, Stephanie, Weeks, Shawna, Welsh, Alison, Welch, Erin

Abstract

Samples

Hypotheses (3)

Human Nature • Vol/Iss. 14 • Published In 2003 • Pages: 365-382 •