Correlations of matrilineal and patrilineal institutions

Studies in the Science of Society • Yale University Press • New Haven • Published In • Pages: 445-470 •
By Murdock, George Peter

Hypothesis

". . . patrilineal institutions [are] associated with the presence of traits indicative of higher civilization, matrilineal institutions with their absence. [Some of these are:] agriculture, [animal] domestication, writing, pottery, weaving, metals, [labor] specialization, money, [social] classes, government [and] priesthood . . ." (467)

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Yule’s QSupportedUNKNOWN.27UNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
AgricultureAssociationTillage
Animal DomesticationAssociationDomesticated Animals
GovernmentAssociationTerritorial Hierarchy
Labor SpecializationAssociationOccupational Specialization
MetalsAssociationMetallurgy
MoneyAssociationMedium Of Exchange
Patrilineal And Matrilineal InstitutionsAssociationRule Of Descent
PotteryAssociationCeramic Technology
PriesthoodAssociationPriesthood
Social ClassesAssociationClasses
WeavingAssociationWoven And Other Interworked Fabrics
WritingDependentWriting

Related Hypotheses

Main AuthorHypothesis
Bowden, Edgar"Traits [loading above .5 on] rotated factor Index of Social Development [are]: permanency of residence, group life, agriculture, use of grain for food, constancy of food supply, domesticated animals other than herded, mining and smelting of metals, metals obtained from outside, pottery, weaving, money or other standard medium of exchange, trade, private property in land, power vested in a chief, codified laws, authority of judges, plutocracy, and organized priesthood" (456)
Gouldner, Alvin W.Findings: Factor T, "Level of Technology", with its stress on pottery and grain for food is suggestive of neolithic technology. The two heaviest positive loadings (oblimax rotation) were noted above. Other heavy positive loadings are: mining and smelting, prevalence of war, basketry, money, weaving, herding, agriculture, domesticated animals other than herded. Highest negative loadings are: warm climate, legendary heroes, fishing, and patrilocal residence (25)
Barry III, HerbertControlling on four types of complexity, marriage payment is positively associated with government levels (126)
Barry III, HerbertControlling on four types of complexity, external warfare is positively associated with government levels (126)
Barry III, HerbertControlling on four types of complexity, schooling is positively associated with government levels (126)