Co-residence patterns in hunter-gatherer societies show unique human social structure

Science • Vol/Iss. 331 • Published In • Pages: 1286-1289 •
By Hill, Kim, Walker, Robert S., Bozicevic, Miran, Eder, James, Headland, Thomas, Hewlett, Barry S., Hurtado, Magdalena A., Marlowe, Frank W., Wiessner, Polly, Wood, Brian

Abstract

The biological success derived from cumulative culture and cooperation and their association with ancestral group structure is examined. It is suggested that inclusive fitness cannot explain extensive cooperation in hunter-gatherers because in most of the foraging societies examined, most individuals in residential groups are unrelated. These large social networks may explain why humans are capable of social learning.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
OtherResearchers OwnPublished and unpublished literature and field notes deom a worl-wide sample of 32 hunter-gatherers is used.

Hypotheses (1)

HypothesisSupported
Bisexual philopatry and dispersal, as well as frequent adult brother-sister co-residence, are typical among hunter-gatherers and will result in metagroups composed of multiple residential bands that exchange spouses (1286).UNKNOWN
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Jessie Cohen  Megan Farrer