A worldwide view of matriliny: using cross-cultural analyses to shed light on human kinship systems

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Vol/Iss. 347(1780) The Royal Society Publishing Published In Pages: 1-12
By Surowiec, Alexandra, Snyder, Kate T., Creanza, Nicole

Hypothesis

Matriliny/matrilocality is associated with the absence of economic specialization.

Note

The researchers tested a number of economic specializations, however, the only specialization which co-occurred with matriliny/matrilocality less than would be expected in a random sample was metalworking (the rest of the variables are listed below). It was specifically found that metalworking and matrilocality did not co-occur. Correlated evolution tests found no strong correlation between matriliny/matrilocality and metalworking, or any other specialization.

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Chi-Square, Correlated EvolutionPartially Supportedsee tableUNKNOWNOne tailed

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
MatrilocalityDependentResidence
MetalworkingIndependentMetallurgy
MatrilinyDependentRule Of Descent
Class IndependentClasses
CasteIndependentCastes
Economic specializationsIndependentBusiness And Industrial Organization